Specimen Requirements

Serum and sodium citrate blood and EDTA whole blood are required for these tests.

Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 Antibodies, IgG andIgM

See LAB1179 “Beta-2 Glycoprotein 1 Antibodies, IgG and IgM Serum” for specimen requirements.

Blood for Factor V Leiden (R506Q) Mutation and Prothrombin G20210A Mutation

Draw blood in a lavender-top (EDTA) tube(s) and send 5 mL (minimum volume:  1 mL) of EDTA whole blood. (Heparinized or clotted specimen is not acceptable.) Invert several times to mix blood. Forward unprocessed whole blood at ambient temperature.
Note:  Label specimen appropriately (blood for factor V Leiden (R506Q) mutation and prothrombin G20210A mutation).

Blood or Plasma for Antithrombin III; DRVVT; Protein C Activity, Functional; and Protein S Activity, Functional; PT/INR, APTT, Fibrinogen, Hexagonal Phospholipid Neutralization (StaClot)

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Riverside Inpatients and Riverside Campus draw sites:

Testing must be performed within 4 hours of draw if submitting unprocessed whole blood.

Draw 8 full, light blue-top (citrate) tubes; and send citrated whole blood. Invert several times to mix blood. Forward unprocessed whole blood promptly at ambient temperature only. Do not refrigerate.

Note:  1. Patient should not be receiving heparin or Coumadin® therapy.

2. Gross hemolysis, lipemia, or icteric specimen may affect results.

3. Indicate whole blood on request form.

4. Label specimens appropriately (whole blood for antithrombin III, DRVVT, protein c activity, and protein s activity).

Outpatient/Outreach Clients:

Plasma-Frozen

Draw 8 full, light blue-top (citrate) tubes. Spin down, remove plasma, spin plasma again, and place citrated platelet-poor plasma into 4 plastic vials each containing 1 mL. (Glass vial is not acceptable.) Pour-off vials should be no more than 2/3 full. Send specimen frozen.

Note:  1. Double-centrifuged specimen is critical for accurate results as platelet contamination may cause spurious results.

2. Patient should not be receiving heparin or Coumadin® therapy.

3. Gross hemolysis, lipemia, or icteric specimen may affect results.

4. Indicate plasma on request form.

5. Label specimens appropriately (plasma for antithrombin III, DRVVT, protein c activity, and protein s activity).

Serum or Plasma for Homocysteine and Phospholipid Antibodies (Cardiolipin Antibodies)

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Serum

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

Note:  1. Synthesis of homocysteine by the red cells continues after blood is drawn.

2. Plain, red-top tube(s) is also acceptable.

3. Label specimen appropriately (serum for homocysteine and phospholipid antibodies [cardiolipin antibodies]).

Plasma

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

Note:  1. Synthesis of homocysteine by the red cells continues after blood is drawn.

2. Label specimen appropriately (plasma for homocysteine and phospholipid antibodies [cardiolipin antibodies]).