Specimen Requirements
Minimum of 0.2 mL serum
Supplies for Submission
SST/Gold Top (1); alternately Red Top (1)
Specimen Collection
- Allow Red Top tube contents to clot in an upright position for at least 60 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 from Red Top tube. - Transfer serum 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 refrigerated for 1 week or frozen for 6 months.
Causes for Rejections
Specimens stored at room temperature are not accepted.