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General
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Clinical Use:
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Thiocyanates are a group of compounds formed from a combination of Sulphur, Carbon, and Nitrogen. Cyanide is rapidly converted to thiocyanate via rhodanase in the liver.
Ammonium thiocyanate is used in antibiotic preparations, pesticides, liquid rocket fuels, adhesives, and matches. As hydrogen cyanide is present in cigarette smoke, the excretion of thiocyanate in urine, saliva, and sweat can provide a useful marker of exposure in smokers and non-smokers. Thiocyanate is also a metabolite of Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an antihypertensive agent.
Symptoms of cyanide poisoning include dizziness, hyperpnoea (rapid, deep breathing), weakness, mental and motor impairment and sudden death respiratory paralysis. Absorption into the body may cause cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin due to deficient oxygenation of the blood). Exposure to small amounts of cyanide can be deadly regardless of the route of exposure - by inhalation of hydrocyanic acid or ingestion of salts; fumes from nitrogen products containing cyanide are also a hazard to fire-fighters. |
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Availability:
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Samples are batched and tested fortnightly. |
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Aliases/Synonyms:
| Cyanide, |
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Code:
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THIO |
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Handling Instructions (to laboratory):
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Send sample chilled. |
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Hyperlink:
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Reference Interval:
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Non-smokers 0 - 70 umol/L
Smokers 50 - 200 umol/L
Nitroprusside treatment:
Therapeutic < 500 umol/L
Toxic > 1700 umol/L
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Collection Requirements
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Container:
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Serum, no gel (RED), |
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Sample Type:
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See container |
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Minimum Collection Volume:
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Collection Instructions:
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Processing Requirements
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Alternate Containers:
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Lithium Heparin, No Gel (DKGNLITH) |
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Processing Instructions:
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Centrifuge and separate sample. |
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Minimum Assay Volume:
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1mL |
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Stability:
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Transport Instructions (to testing laboratory):
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Requests should be reviewed by Duty Biochemist prior to transport.
Send sample chilled. |
Testing Locations
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Performed at:
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Section
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Department
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Site
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Contact Phone
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Laboratory |
SSWPS-Royal Prince Alfred Hospital |
(02) 9515 8279 |
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Last Updated : 23-11-2023 13:53 |