Specimen Requirements
Minimum of 2.5 mL serum
Supplies for Submission
SST/Gold Top (2)
Specimen Collection
- Label serum separator tube (SST) with two identifiers. Acceptable identifiers include patient’s name, date of birth, social security number, requisition number, and medical record number.
- Allow SST contents to clot in an upright position for at least 30 minutes.
- Centrifuge within 2 hours of collection and refrigerate.
Storage Requirements
Refrigerated.
Specimens are stable if stored at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated for 2 weeks.
Causes for Rejections
Plasma specimens or specimens with the following conditions are not accepted:
- hemolysis
- lipemia
- icterus
- contaminated
- heat-inactivated