Specimen Requirements

Preferred Collection Container: 

Light Green (Lithium Heparin Plasma Separator Tube)
SST (Serum Separator)

Also Acceptable Collection Container: 

Green No Gel (Lithium Heparin)
Red (No Additive)

Collection Information: 

Collect blood in a Light Green (Lithium Heparin Plasma Separator Tube) or SST (Serum Separator). Green No Gel (Lithium Heparin), Red (No Additive) also acceptable.

Transport Information: 

Centrifuge and aliquot 1.0 mL of serum or plasma into a plastic transport vial. Send refrigerated.

Minimum Sample Volume: 

0.5 mL of serum or plasma 

Remarks: 

Separate serum from cells ASAP. Multiple freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided. Gel tubes are acceptable if serum is removed from gel after centrifugation. Do not use serum and heparinized plasma interchangeably from the same patient.