Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Preferred: Plasma

Draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) tube. For pediatric specimens, draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) 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 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 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.

Specimen stability:

8 hours at room temperature

3 days refrigerated at 2-8°C

6 months when frozen at ≤ -20°C 

Minimum volume:

1 mL

Specimen rejection criteria:

Hemolyzed specimens are not acceptable.