[RA-02] Anion gap: no magic number!
Anion gap (AG) is a parameter that indicates the difference or gap between negatively and positively charged electrolytes. It is primarily used in the differential diagnosis of metabolic acidosis and may be used in clinical laboratories to identify analytical errors. The AG was calcolated using sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-) and bicarbonate (HCO3-). Some laboratories add potassium. In the 1970s,...
[OA-13] Inappropriate use of dilute prolactin testing
Prolactinoma is the most common cause of pathologic hyperprolactinaemia. The tumour size usually correlates with the prolactin level. Extremely high prolactin levels might cause the hook effect, resolting in erroneously low readings. In patients with pituitary adenomas (≥ 3 cm) and normal to modestly elevated prolactin levels, a 100-fold sample dilution is required to eliminate the hook effect. ...
