Specimen Requirements

PREFERRED:

Serum

Container/Tube: Gold-top serum gel tube

Specimen: Gold-top serum gel tube. Serum from plain Red-top tube is UNACCEPTABLE.

Transport Temperature: Ambient; if there is a delay in transport of >8 hours, send specimen FROZEN.

Collection Instructions: Allow specimen to clot for approximately 10 minutes and spin down. Send entire tube to the laboratory.

ALTERNATE:

Plasma

Container/Tube: Lithium heparin gel tube (light green-top)

Specimen: 1mL plasma

Transport Temperature: ambient; if there is a delay in transport of >8 hours, spend specimen FROZEN.

Collection Instructions: Lithium heparin tube = spin down immediately and send entire tube to laboratory.