Serum
Units mg/L
Interpretation of serum salicylate levels
| Salicylate (mmol/L) | Salicylate (mg/L) | Interpretation |
| Less than 2.2 mmol/L | Less than 300 mg/L | “Therapeutic” |
| 2.3 – 3.6 mmol/L | 301 – 500 mg/L | Mild toxicity |
| 3.7 – 5.5 mmol/L | 501 – 750 mg/L | Moderate toxicity |
| More than 5.6 mmol/L | More than 750 mg/L | Severe toxicity |
N.B. In children, lower levels should be considered to be toxic.
Samples from patients receiving N-acetyl cysteine therapy for paracetamol poisoning will invalidate the salicylate result.
Samples that contain paracetamol may produce a positive bias on the measured salicylate level.
Please contact the laboratory for further advice. ext 2935
1 day
Local test
Can be added on to an existing request up to 4 days following sample receipt
Specimen Labelling Procedure
8210
