Specimen Requirements

Specimen should be drawn prior to an I-135 scan or at least 6 weeks after thyroidectomy or I-135 treatment.

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

2. ATG antibodies will interfere. ATG is run and reported on each specimen.

3. Heterophile antibodies may interfere with this assay.

4. TG may not be reliably detected in patients receiving thyroid suppression treatment.

5. Needle biopsy is likely to cause a transient elevation.

6. Indicate serum on request form.

7. Label specimen appropriately (serum).

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. ATG antibodies will interfere. ATG is run and reported on each specimen.

2. Heterophile antibodies may interfere with this assay.

3. TG may not be reliably detected in patients receiving thyroid suppression treatment.

4. Needle biopsy is likely to cause a transient elevation.

5. Indicate plasma on request form.

6. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

Specimen Stability Information