Specimen Requirements

Collection Instructions:

1. Serum and Plasma gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.

2. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and aliquoted within 2 hours of collection.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Serum

Draw blood in a gold-top serum gel tube(s) following an overnight (12-14 hour) fast. Spin down and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated.
Note:

1. Patient should be on a stable diet for 3 weeks prior to draw.

2. A speckled-top serum gel tube (s) or a plain, red-top tube(s) is also acceptable.

3. Indicate serum on request form.

4. Label specimen appropriately (serum).

Alternate:

Plasma

Draw blood in a mint green-top (heparin) gel tube(s) following an overnight (12-14 hour) fast. Spin down and send 1 mL of heparinized plasma refrigerated.

Note:  1. Patient should be on a stable diet for 3 weeks prior to draw.

2. Indicate plasma on request form.

3. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

Specimen Stability Information