PIVKA II

Description: 
PIVKA-II (undercarboxylated FII) is a functional marker of vitamin K status. High PIVKA-II are suggestive of vitamin K deficiency. PIVKA-II is also raised in patients on warfarin treatment, patients with liver disease and liver malignancy even without vitamin K deficiency. The plasma/serum PIVKA-II assay is run on the Architect which is a two-step immunoassay using CMIA technology.

Due to the relocation of the Nutristasis service to the Blackfriars Hub site, this test is not currently accredited by UKAS to ISO15189
Clinical details: 
Undercarboxylated prothrombin (PIVKA-II) provides a functional marker used alongside vitamin K1 as a marker of vitamin K status. It is also raised in the presence of vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin or rodenticide superwarfarins e.g. difenacoum and can be raised in liver disease.
Related condition or disease: 
Vitamin K deficiency or vitamin K antagonist exposure
Reference range: 

17-51 mAU/mL

Synonyms or keywords: 
Undercarboxylated prothrombin
Units: 
mAU/mL
Department: 
Reference Chemistry
Location: 
Blackfriars Hub
Sample type and Volume required: 
SST
Minimum 0.5mL
Call in advance: 
No
Turnaround time: 
10 days
Special sample instructions: 

Protect from light

Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Sample must be protected from light, first class post
Contacts:
Nutristasis Unit at Blackfriars Hub
0204 591 0055
Nutristasis@synnovis.co.uk
Reference Chemistry, 1st Floor Blackfriars Hub
Friars Bridge Court
Blackfriars Road
London
SE1 8NZ

Laboratory opening times
Monday - Friday 09.00 - 17.00
For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Nutristasis Unit at Blackfriars Hub

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Last updated: 22/10/2025