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). Spin down and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated.
Note:

1. Date and time of draw is required on request form and specimen for processing.

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

3. Indicate serum and random on request form.

4. Label specimen appropriately (serum and as random).

Alternate: 

Plasma

Draw blood in a mint green-top (heparin) gel tube(s). Spin down and send 1 mL of heparinized plasma refrigerated.

Note:  1. Date and time of draw is required on request form and specimen for processing.

2. Indicate plasma and random on request form.

3. Label specimen appropriately (plasma and as random).

Sample Stability Information:

Specimens removed from the cells, clot, or gel may be stored up to one week at 2 to 8°C.

If testing will be delayed more than one week, specimens should be stored frozen (< -10°C).