Skip to main content

TDL Update: November 2023

Wednesday, 01 November 2023

Important Do's, Ziwig Endotest® for endometriosis, Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) update, HbA1c (GHB) results,Test request forms, Stool pots, Covid testing, Blood groups for babies less than 5 months old

TDL Update: Andrology reference values

Wednesday, 18 October 2023

TDL Andrology is updating its reference values to those now given in the most recent
WHO guidelines (2021).

Haemophilia and Thrombosis NGS Panels (Updated)

Monday, 14 August 2023

Our Genetics teams are using high-throughput sequencing to combine the testing for rare bleeding, platelet and thrombosis disorders into a single workflow.

IMG 9183 Haemo Thrombo Genetics 150X150px

TDL Update: May 2023

Friday, 19 May 2023

Test and service updates including: Gonorrhoea sensitivity testing; Swabs and fluids: types and codes; Discontinued tests; QFIT and Calprotectin.

Change in method from Jaffe to Enzymatic Creatinine

Thursday, 11 May 2023

To date, the Jaffe method has been used for measuring creatinine in all sample types. From 9th May the Jaffe method will be replaced by an alternative enzymatic method. 

Extended range of UKCA self-collection tests and sample kits

Friday, 07 October 2022

Many more doctors and practices are recognising the benefit in being able to offer self-collection kits to their patients. Blood, stool, urine, swabs, in various combinations, enable patients’ samples to be collected safely at home and to be sent to the laboratory for testing.

Change of service for Histopathology

Friday, 07 October 2022

TDL is now providing its own histopathology services. This important change will allow the service to be brought into TDL’s own laboratory group and will ensure reporting times are managed differently.

Introducing the new Request form for Down’s Risk Screening (DRP)

Saturday, 10 September 2022

All samples for Down’s Risk Screening (first or second trimester) are now referred to the specialist service at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The Request Form for this service has now been updated.

Screening for Monkeypox by PCR (MPXV)

Friday, 22 July 2022

A definite diagnosis of monkeypox requires specialist testing in the laboratory. This is now being undertaken by TDL.

Neisseria gonorrhoea cultures – update regarding national supply concerns

Friday, 22 July 2022

The laboratory has now received a limited supply of alternative media.

Neisseria gonorrhoea cultures – national supply concerns

Friday, 15 July 2022

We have been informed by the supplier of our microbiology media of an immediate discontinuation of their product used for antibiotic sensitivity testing on N. Gonorrhoea isolates.

UKCA marked self-collection sample kits

Friday, 15 July 2022

We have started introducing new UKCA test kits with all versions available to practices, or patients, with future kit orders.

Transition to UKCA-marked sample collection kits

Friday, 01 July 2022

As part of the transition to the supply of UKCA pathology self-collection kits, all kits will now be supplied with both an Expiry date and Lot/Batch number.

COVID-19 Testing

Friday, 17 June 2022

The COVID laboratory continues to offer testing services for COVID-19 PCR (NCOV) and COVID-19 Antibodies (SCOV) with 24 hour turnaround times from the time of sample receipt.

Hepatitis C Antigen (HCAG)

Friday, 17 June 2022

The manufacture and availability of Hep C Core Antigen reagents has been restored.

Down’s Risk Screening (DRP)

Monday, 23 May 2022

The antenatal screening service carried out by the Wolfson Institute is being discontinued in June 2022 and all samples for Down’s Risk Screening (first or second trimester) will be referred to the specialist service at Addenbrooke’s Hospital from 23rd May 2022.

Multiplex (HIV / Hep B / Hep C PCR Early) Detection Screening

Monday, 23 May 2022

TDL test code STDX is now being processed as an in-house assay. There is no change to methodology (NAAT) or sample requirement. TAT remains unchanged.

Esoteric referred tests

Monday, 23 May 2022

Following a review of the contracts with referral laboratories, we have identified two laboratories that whilst being ‘GDPR Compliant’, do not follow the typical data model.

Allergy testing: The ALEX2 test

Monday, 23 May 2022

The ALEX2 test allows for IgE multiplexing of c300 allergens (extracts and molecular allergens) from
a small volume serum sample.

Microbiology: Culture for Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma and Trichomonas vaginalis

Monday, 23 May 2022

Culture for Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma and Trichomonas vaginalis has been replaced by more sensitive and specific targeted PCR testing.

Down’s Risk Profile: Interpretation of Trisomy 18 and Trisomy 13

Monday, 17 January 2022

TDL has been notified of a change in the reporting process for Down’s Risk Profile (DRP), effective 17th January 2022.

COVID-19 Travel Testing with TDL

Tuesday, 05 October 2021

The Regulations for Travel Testing are complex and continue to change. The DHSC updated the private sector provider minimum standards for travel testing on 4 October 2021.

COVID-19 spike antibody test: Roche Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2-S

Wednesday, 27 January 2021

Introducing a new test for the quantitative determination of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein - Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S.

Rapid testing for leukaemia

Thursday, 07 January 2021

Our Haem-Oncology team is introducing rapid genetic testing to help with the treatment management of leukaemia patients.

IMG 9240 Cancer Genetics 150X150px

TDL Tinies™ and Self-collection samples

Wednesday, 29 April 2020

An increased range of tests using remote testing/self-taken small volume blood samples (home collection) and postal pathology has been developed using TDL TINIES

Tdl Tiny News 150X150px

Lactose intolerance and genetic testing (LCT Gene)

Tuesday, 28 April 2020

TDL Genetics offers a genetic  test to assist in the diagnosis  of primary lactose intolerance  in both children and adults.   

Lactose Intolerance Square 150X150px

Quantitative Faecal Immunochemical Test (qFIT)

Monday, 06 April 2020

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK but too often colorectal cancer is detected at
a late stage making it the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK

Qfit 150X150px