Physician Office Specimen Requirements

Preferred:

Serum

Container/Tube:  Orange-top tube(s)

Specimen:  2 mL (minimum volume:  0.5 mL) of serum

Transport Temperature:  Ambient

Collection Instructions:  Serum for a trough level is usually drawn 5 to 10 minutes before dose. Allow specimen to clot for approximately 10 minutes, spin down, remove serum, and place in separate plastic vial. If there is a delay in transport of >8 hours, send specimen refrigerated in ≤7 days.

Note:  1. Indicate serum on request form.

2. Label specimen appropriately (serum).

Alternate:

Plasma

Container/Tube:  Light green-top (lithium heparin gel) tube(s) - Lavender-top (EDTA) tube or light blue-top (sodium citrate) tube is also acceptable.

Specimen:  2 mL (minimum volume:  0.5 mL) of lithium heparin plasma

Transport Temperature:  Ambient

Collection Instructions:  Plasma for a trough level is usually drawn 5 to 10 minutes before dose. Spin down immediately and send entire tube to laboratory. If there is a delay in transport of >8 hours, send specimen refrigerated in ≤7 days.

Note:  1. Indicate plasma on request form.

2. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).