Immunophenotyping
Immunophenotyping tests, also known as flow cytometry tests, are used to diagnose and classify suspected haematologicalconditions. In new patients with unknown diagnosis immunophenotyping will direct which cytogenetics and molecular test may be needed.
The immunophenotyping laboratory performs flow cytometric analysis for a wide variety of disorders, including: acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), certain myeloproliferative disorders (MPD), chronic lymphocproliferative disorders and lymphomas, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), plasma cell disorders, paroxismal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) screening, investigation of other body fluids or lymph node biopsy for the presence of abnormal white cells.
peripheral blood - 5mL
bone marrow - 1mL – 2.5mL
cerebrospinal fluid- 0.5mL – 5mL
pleural effusion - 1mL – 5mL
ascitic fluid- 1mL – 5mL
fine needle aspirates: 1mL – 5mL
endobronchial ultrasound samples (EBUS): 1mL – 5mL
bronchoalveolar lavage: 1mL – 5mL
tissue biopsy – no volume requirements
Please note that samples will not be rejected on the basis of small volume.
Semi-Urgent - 95% within 3 calendar days (Please note this is not a turnaround time category.)
Routine - 95% within 7 calendar days
For specimens requiring urgent results please contact the relevant consultant in advance. Urgent specimens must be received by 15:00 for same day processing.
peripheral blood - 1 x 5mL EDTA (lavender top)
bone marrow - 1 x 5mL EDTA (lavender top)
cerebrospinal fluid/ pleural effusion / ascitic fluid - 1 x 20mL sterile universal container
tissue biopsy - 1 x 20mL saline or Transfix® in sterile universal container
Sample Required For PNH:
peripheral blood - 1 x 5mL EDTA (lavender top) taken within 48 hours of testing
Peripheral blood / bone marrow - transport to the laboratory on the day of collection or refrigerate overnight. Note that for PNH screening samples older than 48hrs will be rejected.
Cerebrospinal fluid/ pleural effusion/ ascitic fluid/ tissue biopsy- transport to the laboratory on the day of collection for arrival before 15:00 or add TransFix®(cellular antigen stabilising reagent, please contact the lab for protocol) and refrigerate overnight for transport on the following day.
Please send a completed Imperial SIHMDS Request Form, detailing infection risk, sample date and time, clinical details, test requirements, and the correct three identifiers.
Dependent on findings, samples may be sent for cytogenetics and molecular studies.
For optimal results, please transport cerebrospinal fluid, pleural effusion, ascitic fluid, and tissue biopsy samples to the laboratory on the day of collection for arrival before15:00 or add TransFix® (cellular antigen stabilising reagent, please contact the laboratory for protocol), refrigerate overnight and transport the samples on the following day.
The laboratory is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays).
PNH samples, taken within 48 hours of testing, must arrive at the laboratory before 15:00 on Fridays.
Please note that for PNH screening samples older than 48hrs will be rejected. For the benefit of accurate results, we strongly recommend service users not to perform elective bone marrow studies on a Friday afternoon.
Record last updated
October 21, 2025
Sample Container
4ml EDTA Vacutainers (Lavender top)
Sample Container
60ml Universal container - Sputum and Fluids (White top)
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Test Results
Yes, we have a Pathology User Guide
Yes. Please email your request to Imperial.nwlpcustomerservice@nhs.net
Results are communicated to clinical staff and are normally not communicated direct to patients either on telephone requests or in written report. If you need to contact us please click here to view the contact details page
Please contact the Customer Service Team Monday to Friday from 8:30am – 6:00pm on 0203 313 5353. Alternatively, see the Pathology User Guide for how to contact the relevant department. If advice is not urgent you can also email your query to Imperial.nwlpcustomerservice@nhs.net
Additional tests may be added by discussion with the relevant laboratory. The time limit for adding additional tests to a sample already received in the laboratory will depend on the type of sample and the department it was sent to.
Information on the repertoire of tests performed by pathology, including reference ranges, turnaround times and specimen requirements, can be found in the test directory.
Phlebotomy services are not managed by NWLP. For further information please see:
Imperial College Healthcare Trust Phlebotomy services
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Phlebotomy services
NWLP operates UKAS accredited medical laboratories as per the references below. The current scope of accreditation for all NWLP’s laboratories can be found on the UKAS website.
UKAS accredited medical laboratory/medical diagnostic service:
- Clinical Biochemistry No. 8673
- Haematology and Blood Transfusion No. 8674
- Infection & Immunity Sciences (Including Immunology, Virology, Microbiology and Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics ) No. 8659
- Cellular Pathology (Including Histopathology, Cytology and Molecular Pathology) No. 9615
If you require copies of our certificate of accreditation and associated documentation please contact Imperial.nwlpcustomerservice@nhs.net.
UKAS requires the laboratories to be accredited for a particular repertoire/scope (ISO15189), any changes or additions to repertoire require assessment by UKAS (extension to scope).
The BD Hospital Tube Guide, BD GP Tube Guide and BD Paediatric Tube Guide provide visual references to the correct tube types and collection instructions.
Home testing
INSTRUCTION SHEET FOR BLOOD SAMPLE COLLECTION
We also have two instruction videos available (one with subtitles and one without) – please click on the links to view the videos on Google.
Our accreditations
Upholding excellence in diagnostic standards
Our laboratories are accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) against the international standard ISO15189:2022. UKAS is the accreditation body for the UK that assesses medical laboratories.
Find out more about our accreditations on the UKAS website.
UKAS website