Specimen Requirements

Preferred:

Plasma

Draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) tube(s) following an overnight (12-14 hour) fast. For pediatric specimens, draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) MICROTAINER(S)®. (Hemolyzed or lipemic specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down and send 2 mL of lithium heparin plasma refrigerated. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere. (Do not transfer or open tube.)

Note:  1. Patient must be on a stable diet for 2 weeks and not consume any alcohol for 5 days before specimen is drawn.

2. Indicate plasma on request form.

3. 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 serum gel tube(s) following an overnight (12-14 hour) fast. (Hemolyzed or lipemic specimen is not acceptable.) Spin down and send 2 mL of serum refrigerated. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere. (Do not transfer or open tube.)

Note:  1. Glucose will drop 5.0 mg/dL to 10 mg/dL per hour in an unseparated, ambient serum gel tube.

2. Patient must be on a stable diet for 2 weeks and not consume any alcohol for 5 days before specimen is drawn.

3. Indicate serum on request form.

4. Label specimen with patient’s name (first and last), date of birth, date and time of draw, phlebotomist’s initials, and as serum.