Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred:

Plasma

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

Alternate:

Serum

Draw blood in a gold top (serum separater) gel tube. Label specimen with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and time of draw, the phlebotomist’s initials and as serum. Spin down and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated.

Specimen stability:

8 hours at room temperature

7 days at 2-8°C

30 days when frozen at  ≤ -20°C

Minimum volume:

1 mL