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, phlebotomist’s initials, and as plasma.

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, phlebotomist’s initials, and as serum.

Moderately hemolyzed specimens are not acceptable.

Specimen stability:

8 hours at room temperature

2 days refrigerated at 2-8°C

Indefinitely when frozen at  ≤ -20°C

Minimum volume:    1 mL