Specimen Requirements

Serum

Draw blood in a plain (no additive) red-top tube or a gold-top (serum separater) gel tube from a fasting patient. (Non-fasting specimen accepted for special studies.) Spin down and send 1 mL of serum frozen in plastic vial. Frozen specimen preferred, but refrigerated specimen is acceptable.

Notes:

1. Patients with a history of insulin usage may have insulin antibodies which cause an inaccurate assay result.

2. If multiple specimens are drawn, send separate request form for each specimen.

3. Label specimens appropriately (corresponding draw time).

Specimen stability:   
8 hours at room temperature - Do NOT use samples that have been stored at room temperature for more than 8 hours.
24 hours refrigerated at 2-8°C
Freeze at ≤ -20°C for longer storage

Minimum volume:    
1 mL

Specimen rejection criteria: 

Hemolyzed specimens are not acceptable.