Specimen Requirements
Minimum of 0.3 mL serum; alternately 0.5 mL sodium or lithium heparin plasma
Supplies for Submission
SST/Gold Top (1); alternately Green Top (1)
Specimen Collection
- Allow serum separator tube (SST) contents to clot in an upright position for at least 30 minutes.
- Centrifuge within 2 hours of collection or centrifuge immediately for plasma.
- Label a plastic transport tube with two identifiers. Acceptable identifiers include patient’s name, date of birth, social security number, requisition number, and medical record number.
Label the tube as serum (or heparin plasma as appropriate.)
- Transfer serum (or plasma) to the tube and freeze - send this aliquot separately when multiple tests are ordered.
Storage Requirements
Frozen.
After separation from cells, specimens are stable if frozen for 2 months.