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Katherine Turner

Immunochemistry, Southwest Michigan, West Michigan

Serum Viscosity Testing Update

Effective July 8, 2026, serum viscosity tests ordered and collected at Corewell Health Southwest and West Michigan will be performed at the Corewell Health Reference Laboratory East.

This change includes an updated testing methodology, transitioning from an Ostwald capillary viscometer (water comparison) to a cone-plate viscometer. The reference range will also be updated from 1.4–1.8 units to 1.0–2.0 centipoise (cP).

A small positive bias is expected with the new method; however, this will not impact patient result trending.

 

TEST INFORMATION

Viscosity, Serum [LAB7650]

June 25, 2026 by
Immunochemistry, Test Spotlight

Update to Reporting for Urine Protein Electrophoresis Tests

On March 12th, 2025, the reporting for Protein Electrophoresis, 24 Hour Urine, do IFE if Indicated (LAB111444) and Protein Electrophoresis, Random Urine, do IFE if Indicated (LAB111445) will be updated to harmonize with Monoclonal Gammopathy Screen (LAB1230573) and Protein Electrophoresis, Serum, IFE if Indicated (LAB844).

The changes that will occur include the following.

  1. A single interpretive comment (Pathologist Interpretation Urine Protein Electrophoresis) that will encompass both the electrophoresis portion of the test and any immunotyping.
  2. Quantitation of monoclonal proteins will no longer be part of the interpretation but rather documented as discrete fields under Urine Protein Electrophoresis in result review. As a result, the interpretation will not include a comment about how the monoclonal protein has changed between studies.
  3. The quantitation of the monoclonal protein will only include mg/24-hour concentration and not the percentage.

TEST INFORMATION

  • Protein Electrophoresis, 24 Hour Urine, do IFE if Indicated (LAB111444)
  • Protein Electrophoresis, Random Urine, do IFE if Indicated (LAB111445)

Performing department: Immunochemistry (Corewell Health Reference Laboratory-West, Grand Rapids, MI)

March 9, 2025 by
General Information, Immunochemistry

Update to Breath Tests

Effective December 4, 2024, breath methane will be added to Bacterial Overgrowth, Breath Test (LAB3295) and Lactose Intolerance, Breath Test (LAB3097). As a result, the test will include both breath hydrogen and methane. Methane is being added as a small percentage of patients who have either bacterial overgrowth or lactose intolerance will not produce hydrogen when challenged during the test. These patients are considered methane-producers.
In addition, the collection time point of 150 minutes is being eliminated to align with system-wide standards.
Questions may be directed to the Immunochemistry Laboratory using the Contact Us link above.
November 19, 2024 by
Immunochemistry, Main lab

Update in Testing Platform – Immunochemistry

As of January 26, 2024, for the following tests, the testing platform has changed from EliA Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA) from Thermofisher to Multiplex Flow Immunoassay from Biorad. Please review the lab catalog for any changes to collection information or reference ranges.

• Anti-dsDNA Antibody
• Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide (CCP) Antibody
• Celiac Antibody Cascade
• Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody
• Gliadin Antibodies Continue Reading

January 26, 2024 by
Toxicology

Update to Vitamin D Testing

Effective February 28th, 2023, Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy Level (25-OH Vitamin D) [LAB535] will be replaced by 25-Hydroxyvitamin Level D2 and D3 [LAB1230925]. Send out testing for 25-Hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3, Serum [LAB1230428] to Mayo will be discontinued. The testing methodology will change from an immunoassay to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The new test will include concentrations for

  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D2
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D3
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D Total

Continue Reading

February 22, 2023 by