Specimen Requirements
Minimum of 2.0 mL serum; alternately 2.0 mL serum from Red Top tube
Supplies for Submission
SST/Gold Top (1); alternately Red Top (1)
Specimen Collection
- 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.
- Transfer serum to the tube and freeze - send this aliquot separately when multiple tests are ordered.
Storage Requirements
Critical Frozen (CFZ)
Specimens are stable if frozen for 1 month.
Causes for Rejections
Specimens with the following conditions are not accepted:
- hemolysis
- room temperature
- refrigerated
- heat-inactivated