Specimen Requirements
Minimum of 1.0 mL serum
Supplies for Submission
SST/Gold Top (1)
Specimen Collection
This test may be performed on postmortem samples.
- Collect sample between 15 minutes and 3 hours after the occurrence of the event suspected to have activated mast cells.
- Allow serum separator tube (SST) contents to clot in an upright position for at least 30 minutes.
- Centrifuge within 2 hours of collection.
- 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.
- Transfer serum to the tube and freeze freeze - send this aliquot separately when multiple tests are ordered.
Storage Requirements
Frozen.
Specimens are stable if refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for 1 month.