Request Genetic Test
Details of how to request a genetic test, how and where to send a blood/DNA sample, and what to expect in terms of turnaround times and reporting.
How to submit a request
Please complete the online request form. You will be asked to login or register.
Enter the patient’s details, then select and complete ONE of two questionnaires (SAIDs or hereditary amyloidosis) indicating if a single gene testing or the NGS gene panel analysis should be applied when processing the sample.
For carrier, predictive testing, or screening of a single gene, we recommend the Sanger sequencing method. For testing of a wider range of genes, especially for patients with suspected SAIDs, we recommend our NGS gene panel. (More about our testing.)
Please save your work at each stage of completing the forms to avoid losing your entries. Once completed, print the form to accompany the sample.
The sample: what we need
- 2-5 ml whole EDTA blood or a minimum of 50µL DNA sample.
- This must be clearly labelled with the patient’s full name and date of birth.
- This must be accompanied by a printed copy of the completed electronic questionnaire.
- Details must match across the label and the request form, otherwise it will be rejected.
If the sample is not sufficient for the laboratory to perform the test, we will contact the referring laboratory for a new sample.
The sample: where to send it
Post the blood/DNA sample and a printed copy of the patient request form to:
SPECIMEN RECEPTION
National Amyloidosis Centre
Division of Medicine
University College London Medical School
Royal Free Campus
Rowland Hill Street
London, NW3 2PF
You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of the samples.
The sample: when to send it
Our lab and reception desk are open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. For sample shipment, we recommend using special delivery during weekdays to avoid sample deterioration.
How long does it take?
We comply with the NHS Turnaround Time of up to 42 days for Sanger sequencing and up to 84 days for NGS gene panel requests.
All reports are emailed to the referring clinician/laboratory confidential nhs.net account, provided details are provided when requesting the test. Please check with your Pathology or Genetics Laboratory for copies of reports before contacting the National Amyloidosis Centre.
Requests for copies of reports on the day that your patient is in the clinic cannot normally be accommodated. As standard, we require at least 24-hour notice.
Who to contact
If there are problems accessing the Sequencing Request site [nacgenetics.org], please contact Melanie Fuller, General Secretary (melanie.fuller@nhs.net; Tel +44 (0)20 7433 2830).
If you need an urgent test, please contact Dorota Rowczenio, Head of the Genetics Lab (dorota.rowczenio@nhs.net).
If you have not received a genetic report, please contact Melanie Fuller, General Secretary (melanie.fuller@nhs.net; Tel +44 (0)20 7433 2830).
Please note, our policy is not to issue verbal results.