Specimen Requirements

Serum

Draw blood in a gold-top (serum separator) gel tube. For pediatric specimens, draw blood in two red-top MICROTAINER(S)®. Label the specimen with the 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. 

Note:

1. Specimens suspected of having macroglobulins or cryoglobulins should be drawn, held, and transported to the laboratory at 37° C. Specimens suspected of containing cold agglutinins should not be refrigerated prior to or following centrifugation and transportation to the laboratory.

2. Patient’s age is required on request form for processing.

Specimen stability:

8 hours at room temperature

7 days refrigerated at 2-8°C

3 months when kept frozen at ≤ -20°C 
 

Minimum volume:

1 mL