Specimen Requirements

Hemolyzed and lipemic samples are not acceptable.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Serum

Draw blood in a gold-top serum gel tube(s). Spin down immediately 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. TPO autoantibodies may be found in <10% of population and in patients with non-thyroid disease such as inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

3. Heterophile antibodies may interfere with this assay.

4. Indicate serum on request form.

5. Label specimen appropriately (serum).

Alternate:

Plasma

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

Note:  1. TPO autoantibodies may be found in <10% of population and in patients with non-thyroid disease such as inflammatory rheumatic diseases.

2. Heterophile antibodies may interfere with this assay.

3. Indicate plasma on request form.

4. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

Specimen Stability Information