Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Plasma

Draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) tube(s). For pediatric specimen, draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) . MICROTAINER(S)®. Spin down and send 1 mL of lithium heparin plasma refrigerated. 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 1 mL of serum refrigerated. Label specimen with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and time of draw and the phlebotomist’s initials.

Specimen stability:

5 days at room temperature

7 days at 2-8°C

Indefinitely when frozen at ≤ -20°C 

Minimum volume:     1 mL