**Update on Test Availability**

Due to a reagent recall, we are unable to provide HLA B27 TESTING at this time. LifeLabs is currently arranging an alternate test provider and will provide an update when testing is once again available. We apologize for ...

Due to a manufacturing shortage of reagent kits, H. PYLORI STOOL ANTIGEN testing will be temporarily unavailable. The H. PYLORI UREA BREATH test is recommended as an alternate to stool antigen testing. In addition, we are experiencing a delay testing samples previously collected for H. PYLORI STOOL ...

**Update on Testing**

Due to a supply chain issue with our referral laboratory, Estrone testing will be delayed. We apologize for the inconvenience.

We’re pleased to share that LifeLabs has reintroduced its H. pylori Urea Breath test to its roster of tests for supporting gastrointestinal health. 

Client Notice: Recent evidence has emerged that suggests a reassessment of the formula for calculating estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) may be in order.

Due to issues with our referral laboratory, Free Valproic Acid will temporarily be unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Three-Year Agreement Reached Between LifeLabs and OPSEU

LifeLabs and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) will return to the negotiating table on Thursday, March 24. We are pleased that OPSEU accepted LifeLabs’ invitation to return to the negotiating table. LifeLabs remains committed to bargaining in good faith and we are hopeful that neg...

LifeLabs and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) are currently negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement. We have received notification from OPSEU of the potential start of job action on March 14. LifeLabs will remain operational throughout any job action. While there may be s...

**Change to Funding and Test Location” Effective March 07, 2022, LifeLabs will begin testing N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in house, at no cost to the patient. Testing for B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) will also continue to be offered but remains uninsured, requiring the...

Effective February 14th, 2022 LifeLabs will introduce a new method for 25-OH Vitamin D. The new method shows improved precision. Patient results are equivalent to the previous method, confirmed by the LifeLabs validation, and individual results are not expected to change. See the attached memo for m...

**Update on Testing**

Due to issues with our referral laboratory, LP-PLA2 Activity will temporarily be unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience.

**Update on Testing**

Due to issues with our referral laboratory, LP-PLA2 Activity will temporarily be unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience.

As part of ongoing efforts to improve our quality of service, LifeLabs Ontario will implement a new analytical platform for clinical immunoassay-based urine drug screens, and for blood glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase and serum/plasma/red blood cell cholinesterase testing. This change will go i...

**Update on Turn Around Times**

Due to instrumentation issues at our referral laboratory, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time for VERY LONG CHAIN FATTY ACID testing. We apologize for the inconvenience.

**Update on Turn Around Times**

Due to instrumentation issues at our referral laboratory, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time for PHYTANIC ACID testing. We apologize for the inconvenience.

LifeLabs Ontario will offer an Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) test for the diagnosis of C. difficile infection, starting in January 2022.

LL #28581-  BD LAVENDER TUBE 13X75 LAVENDER 4.0ML HEMOGARD, PLASTIC, (BD item #367861) 100/SP LL #28642 - BD GOLD TUBE 13x100 GOLD 5 0ML HEMOGARD PLASTIC 0268397 (BD item #367986) 100/SP

**Update on Testing**

NMP-22 testing has been discontinued at the referral laboratory LifeLabs sends the test too. We are currently working to find an alternate site/test to use in place of this. Due to the discontinuation, NMP-22 will no longer be ord...

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is now being tested in-house at LifeLabs effective December 13th, 2021.
Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels are robustly associated with the risk of coronary heart disease; strongly suggesting a causal association between Lp(...

Ontario Ministry of Health - Community Access Pilot | Ordering Trichomonas (NAAT), Gonorrhea (NAAT), Chlamydia (NAAT) tests | Changes to LifeLabs’ Celiac Serology

The referral laboratory where LifeLabs sends Copeptin testing to will discontinue parallel Osmolality testing due to concerns about pre-analytical factors affecting accuracy of osmolality results. This will go into effect on Dec 16, 2021. The reports will continue to provide comments that can be use...

Due to instrumentation issues at our referral laboratory, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time for CHROMOGRANIN testing. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Due to supply issues at our referral laboratory, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time for ADRENAL ANTIBODY testing. We apologize for the inconvenience.

As part of a large process and quality improvement initiative around our referred out testing program, a selection of referred out tests will be changing test locations over the coming months. On December 5th, 2021, a number of tests will be performed at UHN (University Health Network). This may res...

LifeLabs is now offering molecular PCR testing for the combined detection of COVID-19, Flu A, Flu B, and RSV for our community patients.

Starting October 18th, LifeLabs will be implementing new technology for Urinalysis (Chemical and Microscopic) testing.

**New Test Available**

Effective October 4th, 2021, Growth hormone suppression test will be available at LifeLabs as an aid in the diagnosis of growth hormone excess. Please see attac...

**Update on Turn Around Times** We are currently experiencing some delays in the processing of our surgical pathology specimens, as the result of a staffing shortage in our histology department. This has resulted in delays in reporting. We are attempting to correct the situation as soon as possib...

**Update on Turn Around Times** Due to manufacturer reagent delay, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time for CALPROTECTIN (FECAL) testing. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Lifelabs now offers the H. pylori Stool Antigen Test as a safe and accurate alternative to Urea Breath Test (UBT), allowing you to confidently diagnose H. pylori infection in dyspeptic patients without exposing them to unnecessary hazards during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Effective July 5, 2021, Urine Sulfosalicylic Acid (SSA) cascaded test will be discontinued.

**Update on Turn Around Times** Due to instrumentation issues at our referral laboratory, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time for MERCURY (BLOOD AND URINE) testing. We apologize for the inconvenience.

**Update on Turn Around Times** Due to instrumentation issues at our referral laboratory, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time for ARSENIC (BLOOD) testing. We apologize for the inconvenience.

**Update on Turn Around Times** Due to instrumentation issues at our referral laboratory, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time for SELENIUM (SERUM) testing. We apologize for the inconvenience.

**Update on Turn Around Times** Due to supply issues at our referral laboratory, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time for LKM ANTIBODIES testing. We apologize for the inconvenience.

**Discontinuation of Tests** URINE BILIRUBIN AND UROBILINOGEN will be discontinued as of June 14, 2021. Please request serum liver function test(s) instead, as clinically appropriate (including ALT, AST, GGT and/or Total Bilirubin).

**Update on Turn Around Times** Due to supplier issues, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time for ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME testing. We apologize for the inconvenience.

On March 3rd 2021, LifeLabs sent a memo to all clients informing them of a positive bias on the serum creatinine assay, causing a positive shift of up to 8 umol/L in creatinine results, along with the concurrent negative shift in eGFR. The root cause was the manufacturer reagent lot bias. An interpr...

FastTRK is a clinical testing program for the diagnosis of NTRK gene fusions. Funded by Bayer Inc., this is a complimentary service for clinicians to determine whether their patients’ cancer has an NTRK gene fusion.

LifeLabs has recently become aware of a positive bias on the serum creatinine assay, which may contribute to a positive shift of up to 8 umol/L in creatinine results. A concurrent negative shift in eGFR may be present.

Effective April 4th, 2021 LifeLabs will introduce a new methodology for C- Reactive Protein (CRP) testing. The new method shows improved accuracy and precision across the CRP clinical range, including low concentrations used in cardiovascular disease assessment and high concentrations important for ...

Effective Mar 01, 2021, LifeLabs will be performing vitamin A and E testing in-house.

**Update on Turn Around Times** Due to supply issues at our referral laboratory, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time for FECAL PORPHYRIN testing. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Physicians can now order either BNP or NT Pro-BNP tests for heart failure patients in Ontario.

**Limited Test Availability** Due to safety precautions implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19, H. PYLORI BREATH TESTING is temporarily not available for collection in our Patient Service Centres. Specimens collected by healthcare providers will continue to be accepted. We apologize for the...

Important Notice: LifeLabs would like to remind health care providers to ensure that their OHIP billing number is indicated on the Laboratory Requisition form they provide to their patients. Doing so will allow LifeLabs to provide the appropriate services to their patients without delay.

Due to instrument capacity issues related to COVID-19 testing, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time (TAT) for Parasite PCR testing. The current TAT is 3 to 5 days upon specimen receipt. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Due to a reagent backorder, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time for C. DIFFICILE TESTING. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Urinalysis - Importance of Correct Collection and Storage

PLASMA CATECHOLAMINES testing has returned to routine turn-around times. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Due to pandemic related resource re-allocation at our referral laboratory, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time for AMYLASE ISOENZYME testing. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Due to pandemic related resource re-allocation at our referral laboratory, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time for OSTEOCALCIN testing. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Attention Health Care Practitioners: Please ensure requisitions are signed either as a wet or digital signature. Following Ministry guidelines, unsigned requisitions will not be honoured and patients will be turned away.

Attention Health Care Practitioners: Please ensure patients with Standing Orders have a request that is < 6months old. Standing orders are only valid for a 6-month period. Expired Standing Orders will be rejected and the patient turned away.

Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, and increased laboratory safety precautions at the referral laboratory, we are temporarily unable to provide FLUID LIPASE TESTING.

Effective March 02, 2020, LifeLabs implemented a new immunoassay testing platform, Roche Cobas e801, for select tests.

IMPROVEMENTS TO my results™ PORTAL – LIFELABS PARTNERING WITH LAB TESTS ONLINE TO HELP PATIENTS LEARN ABOUT DIAGNOSTIC TESTING

Delay in turnaround time for BETA 2 MICROGLOBULIN, SERUM testing. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Starting on March 9th, 2020 we will offer flow cytometric immunophenotyping for HLA-B27 antigen testing.

Please note that iLabLink being retired on January 31st, 2020

LifeLabs will be adopting new criteria for OHIP-insured tests.

Please read below about a notice regarding expired FOBT cards being received at our laboratory.

Endomysial Antibody testing has returned to routine turn-around times. We apologize for any inconvenience.

As of Monday, March 4th, 2019, due to change at our referral testing facility, testing for ADH/ Vasopressin is no longer available. It has been replaced by copeptin, a more reliable surrogate marker. ADH and copeptin are released in the body in a 1:1 ratio as 2 parts of the arginine vasopressin prec...

LifeLabs is pleased to announce changes to testing of serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone and Androstenedione that will take effect on December 17. 2018.

We have received notice from our Supplier, Fisher Edmonton, to quarantine the following supplies IMMEDIATELY:

Broad Spectrum Toxicology (BST) Screen testing has returned to routine turn-around times. We apologize for any inconvenience.

LifeLabs would appreciate your help in ensuring best patient care when critical values become available after office hours on the tests that you order on your patients.

Due to supply issues, we are currently experiencing a delay in turnaround time for SELENIUM (SERUM) testing. We apologize for the inconvenience.