Specimen Requirements

For Mayo Medical Laboratories’ specimen required information, see #9026 Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA), Serum.

Blood, plasma and serum are required for this test.

Blood for Sedimentation Rate, Westergren

Specimen must arrive within ≤4 hours of draw.

Container/Tube: Lavender-top (EDTA) tube(s) - No other anticoagulant is acceptable.

Specimen: 5 mL (minimum volume:  1.5 mL) of EDTA whole blood

Transport temperature: Ambient

Collection Instructions: Invert 8 times to mix blood.

Note: 1. Indicate blood on request form.
2. Label specimen appropriately (blood).

Plasma for CRP and Uric Acid

Container/Tube: Light green-top (lithium heparin gel) tube(s)

Specimen: 2 mL (minimum volume:  1 mL) of lithium heparin plasma
Transport Temperature: Ambient
Collection Instructions: Spin down immediately and send entire tube to laboratory. If there is a delay in transport of >8 hours, send specimen refrigerated.

Note: 1. Indicate plasma on request form.
2. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

Serum for Rheumatoid Factor

Container/Tube: Gold-top serum gel tube(s) - Plain, red-top tube is also acceptable. - Plasma is not acceptable.

Specimen: 2 mL (minimum volume:  1 mL) of serum
Transport Temperature: Ambient

Collection Instructions: Allow specimen to clot for approximately 10 minutes and spin down. If drawing gold-top serum gel tube, send entire tube to laboratory. If drawing plain, red-top tube, remove serum and place in separate plastic vial. If there is a delay in transport of >8 hours, send specimen refrigerated.

Note: 1. Indicate serum on request form.
2. Label specimen appropriately (serum).