Pathology Handbook

Recent changes for Bile Acids
Date	Field	Changed From	Changed To
7th April 2026	Preferred Specimen Type	Serum	Blood
	Preferred Container Type	SST	Lithium Heparin (with Gel)
	Optional Container Type		SST

Laboratory:

Clinical Biochemistry

Test Code:

BILA

Specimen Types:

Blood

Container Types:

Lithium Heparin (with Gel)
SST

Adults Volume or Mass:

2 mL

Collection & Request Instructions:

Fasting Sample

Transport Instructions between Sites and/or Laboratories:

Room Temperature

MBS Rebatable:

Yes

MBS Item No.:

66517

Additional Notes:

Reference Intervals

Fasting Bile Acids umol/L (<10)

Non-fasting Bile Acids umol/L (<19)

For diagnosis of Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP):

Total Bile Acids (non-fasting) 40 - 99 umol/L denotes severe ICP

Total Bile Acids (non-fasting) >/= 100 umol/L denotes very severe ICP

Source: SOMANZ 2023