Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Serum

Draw blood in a gold-top serum gel tube(s) in early a.m. (Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down within 1 hour of draw and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated.

Note:

1. Iron concentrations are highest at 8 a.m. and lowest at 12 a.m. (midnight).

2. Iron supplements should be avoided for 24 hours prior to draw.

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

4. Indicate serum on request form.

5. Label specimen appropriately (serum).

Alternate: Preferred by VWH Users

Plasma

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

Note:  1. Iron concentrations are highest at 8 a.m. and lowest at 12 a.m. (midnight).

2. Iron supplements should be avoided for 24 hours prior to draw.

3. Indicate plasma on request form.

4. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

5. Tubes of blood are to be kept closed at all times and in a vertical position. It is recommended that the serum or plasma be physically separated from contact with cells within two hours from the time of collection.

6. Separated serum or plasma should not remain at room temperature longer than 8 hours. If assays are not completed within 8 hours, the separated sample should be stored at +2°C to +8°C. If assays are not completed within 24 hours, plasma samples should be recentrifuged and separated from precipitate before testing. Refrigerated specimens are stable foe 48 hrs. 

Roche Specimen Stability Information