Biolab News Update

For copies of the most recent releases of our test datasheets (project in progress), laboratory guide and request forms please click here:

Datasheets & other documentation

Please note that the prices of most London Clinic pathology test prices were increased on 1st October.  For full details see www.biolab.co.uk/otherlab.html

Biolab test prices remain unchanged.

If you need the clarification of any prices please do not hesitate to contact us directly (www.biolab.co.uk/address.html).

Following the retirement of our Laboratory Director, Dr John McLaren Howard, on Thursday 17th May, we regret that the following tests will no longer be available at Biolab:

• Anti-gliadin and endomyseal antibodies – we will now refer these to The Doctor’s Laboratory.

• Bile acids (now replaced with total bile acids).

• Fluoride motility – lymphocyte sensitivity to fluoride available as a “Chemical Sensitivity” test.

• Hydroxyproline (was part of our osteoporosis screen)

• ICD-Manganese – serum, sweat and hair manganese levels available

• Intracellular fluid electrolytes

• Urine Iodine - to be reintroduced at a later date.

• Ionised calcium

• Ketone bodies in plasma

• Metallothionein

• Myothermograms – alternative tests are sweat, WBC or RBC magnesium, or magnesium retention tests (please enquire for further details).

• Organic acids in serum – available in urine via Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children

• Pesticides & Related Substances

• Sperm and post coital tests – The Doctor’s Laboratory offer a wide range of semen analysis screens.

• Toxic Effects Screen and D-Glucaric acid.

• Neutrophil vitamin C – alternative is a fasting serum vitamin C

Following several reports of adverse reactions to the DMSA used for our Kelmer test, we have suspended this test.  Please contact the laboratory for further information.  We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

We are pleased to provide a page of links to external web sites we have found of interest and to articles relevant to our work which you may not have seen in the mainstream medical journals or national press.

www.biolab.co.uk/links.html

If you would like to suggest other sites or articles we would be pleased to consider these for inclusion.

Beckton Dickinson have replaced their Vacutainer, glass, red speckled top, blood collection tubes with a "gold" top (dark shade of yellow!) plastic tube.  The red speckled top tube can still be used as before, but we will now be supplying the new Gold top tubes as an alternative.  All of our documentation, including this web site, has been updated accordingly.  Please contact us if you are a regular user of Biolab and would like to be sent some of the new tubes.

Sample handling fee  (July 2006)

For doctors wishing to use Biolab phlebotomy services to collect samples for other laboratories we have had to increase our sample handling fee from £10 to £15 with effect 3rd July 2006.  We acknowledge that this is a 50% increase, but this is the first time this fee has been increased in over 15 years.  We hope that you will agree this is still excellent value for the work involved (reception, nurses and preparation of samples in our laboratory).

For patients having Biolab tests, there is no additional charge for collecting samples on behalf of other laboratories.

Continuing the occasional series of brief comments from Dr John McLaren Howard, Laboratory Director, on medical and general news items together with Biolab tests that may be useful in the investigation of these areas of concern. 

Test price increase (effective 1st October 2004)

Biolab test prices are to increase by 5% on 1st October 2004 (all prices on this web site have now been updated accordingly).  This is the first increase in our test prices since 1997 and has been made now to cover increase costs from our suppliers and to ensure that we can continue our innovative development work for the benefit of patients in the future.

Most of our test prices have only increased by between £1 and £3 and we hope that you still consider our services to be good value.

We welcome feedback from doctors and patients on this decision.

Click here to download a new Biolab price list (Microsoft Excel).

Gastrogram no longer available (May 2004)

We regret to announce that the Gastrogram will not be available after Friday 14th May 2004 because it would be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming to seek and obtain compliance with the latest EU regulations (EU Directive 98/79EC on in vitro diagnostic medical devices).

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all doctors who have referred their patients for this test over the last 15 years and for all the feedback they have provided during that time.  

Lymphocyte Sensitivity Request Form  (March 2004)

A new request form for doctors requesting lymphocyte sensitivity tests is now available.  This includes nearly 200 chemicals (including a range of commonly used dental materials) and toxic metals for which lymphocyte sensitivities can be detected.  Further information about these tests can be found at  Sensitivity tests, and the request form can be downloaded from Lymphocyte sensitivity request form.

Brief comments from Dr John McLaren Howard, Laboratory Director, on medical and general news and comments on relevant Biolab tests. 

Continuing the occasional series of brief comments from Dr John McLaren Howard, Laboratory Director, on medical and general news items together with Biolab tests that may be useful in the investigation of these areas of concern. 

24 hour urine FIGLU test suspension (1st May 2003)

We are very sorry to announce that due to a world wide shortage of purified FIGLU transferase we are no longer able to offer the 24 hour urine FIGLU test.  We are continuing to search for a source of this enzyme and we are also investigating alternative methods.  

Measurements of methylmalonic acid levels in 24 hour urine (for vitamin B12)  are unaffected by this and can still be requested.

We hope this does not cause too much inconvenience.  If you have any questions or comments regarding this please contact us (info@biolab.co.uk)

Doctor's newsletter (March 2003)

An occasional series of brief comments by Dr John McLaren Howard, Laboratory Director, on medical and general news items together with Biolab tests that may be useful in the investigation of these areas of concern.

Newsletter

Biolab CD-ROM

A CD-ROM is now available containing copies of Biolab request forms, information leaflets, workshop handouts, test instruction sheets, publications and our laboratory guide (not suitable for Apple Macs).  Please contact us directly for a copy. Cost £5.

If you require further details about these news items or or any further information about Biolab please contact us directly: info@biolab.co.uk