Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Plasma

Draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) tube(s). For pediatric specimens, draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) MICROTAINER(S)®. Spin down and send 2 mL of lithium heparin plasma refrigerated. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere. (Do not transfer or open tube.) Label specimen with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and time of draw and the phlebotomist’s initials.

Alternate:

Serum

Draw blood in a gold top (serum separater) gel tube(s). Spin down and send 2 mL of serum refrigerated. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere. (Do not transfer or open tube.)

Note:  1. Glucose will drop 5.0 mg/dL to 10 mg/dL per hour in an unseparated, ambient serum gel tube.

Hemolyzed or lipemic specimens are not acceptable.

Specimen stability:  2 days refrigerated at 2-8°C
                                  
Minimum volume:    1 mL