Test Code NA Sodium, Plasma or Serum
Methodology
Electrical Potential via Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE)Performing Laboratory
Aspen Valley HospitalPhysician Office Specimen Requirements
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Preferred:
Plasma
Container/Tube: Light green-top (lithium heparin gel) tube(s)
Specimen: 2 mL (minimum volume: 0.5 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).
Alternate:
Serum
Container/Tube: Gold-top serum gel tube(s) or orange-top tube(s) - Plain, red-top tube is also acceptable.
Specimen: 2 mL (minimum volume: 0.5 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 orange-top tube or 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).
Reference Values
134-142 mmol/LCritical values (automatic call-back): <125 mmol/L or >150 mmol/L