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)®. Label specimen with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and time of draw and the phlebotomist’s initials. Spin down and send 2 mL of lithium heparin plasma refrigerated. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere. (Do not transfer or open tube.) 

Alternate:

Serum

Draw blood in a gold top (serum separater) gel tube(s). Label specimen with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and time of draw and the phlebotomist’s initials. Spin down and send 2 mL of serum refrigerated. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere. (Do not transfer or open tube.)

Note:  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 at 2-8°C
                                   
                                     
Minimum volume:    1 mL