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.

Pediatrics

Draw a full, green-top (heparin) Capiject® tube. (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down and send heparinized plasma refrigerated.

Note:  1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast media containing chelating agents (gadodiamide) may interfere with testing.

2. Indicate plasma on request form.

3. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

Adults

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Serum

Draw blood in a gold-top serum gel tube(s). (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated.
Note:

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

2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast media containing chelating agents (gadodiamide) may interfere with testing.

3. Indicate serum on request form.

4. Label specimen appropriately (serum).

Alternate: 

Plasma

Draw blood in a mint green-top (heparin) gel tube(s). (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down and send 1 mL of heparinized plasma refrigerated.

Note:  1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast media containing chelating agents (gadodiamide) may interfere with testing.

2. Indicate plasma on request form.

3. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).