Aldolase, Blood (Referred Out)- Saskatoon
Discipline
Biochemistry
Overview
Description
Ordering recommendation
- NOT recommended to measure aldose activity in serum of patients with suspected muscle disease because the test result DOES NOT add information to that available more readily from measurement of other enzymes, especially CK.
- Before specimen collection, please have test cleared by clinical biochemist on-call through RUH switch board.
Specimen Information
Specimen types accepted
- Serum
Specimen collection container
- Preferred collection container: Red (no additive) 6 mL
Required volume
- Optimal volume: Full 4.5 mL collection tube
- Minimum volume: 1.0 mL
- (Submitting the minimum volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory/reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum volume may require a second collection.)
- Pediatric volume: 0.5 mL
Transport and stability
- Frozen: 60 days
- Refrigerated: 7 days
Rejection criteria
- Specimens received where the proper collection protocols were not followed
- Gross hemolysis, lipemia, icterus
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Acceptance and Rejection Criteria
Performance
Methodology
- Photometric
Days/times performed
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Maximum laboratory time
Results reporting
- Three day turnaround time by testing laboratory
- Shipped overnight Tuesdays
Other information
- Serum aldolase has some clinical interest in primary disease of skeletal muscle, such as progressive muscular dystrophy and polymyositis; some researcher reported that increased aldolase activity is useful in distinguishing neuromuscular atrophies from myopathies in combination with the CK and AST. However, it does not add additional information to CK activity measurement clinically. Laboratory discourages serum aldolase activity measurement.
Last Updated: January 14, 2026