Specimen Requirements
Minimum of 1.0 mL serum; alternately 1.0 mL serum from Red Top tube
Supplies for Submission
SST/Gold Top (1); alternately Red Top (1)
Specimen Collection
Collect the sample in the midmorning after patient has been sitting, standing, or walking for at least 2 hours. Begin collection when patient has been seated for 5-15 minutes.
- Allow serum separator tube (SST) contents to clot in an upright position for at least 30 minutes (60 minutes for Red Top tube).
- 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 (or Red Top serum as appropriate.)
- Transfer serum to the tube and freeze - send this aliquot separately when multiple tests are ordered.
Storage Requirements
Critical Frozen (CFZ).
After separation from cells, specimens are stable if frozen for 1 month.
Causes for Rejections
EDTA plasma specimens or specimens stored at room temperature are not accepted.