Specimen Type/Requirements

Lavender top (EDTA) tube - Plasma (preferred)
Gold top (Serum w/gel) tube - Serum

Red top (Serum w/out gel) tube - Serum

Lavender top (EDTA) tube must be at least half full.  Smaller volumes can result in negative bias.

Place specimen on ice after collection and prior to processing. 

Serum/plasma should be separated from cells within 6 hours of collection.

Note: Serum may clot more slowly and the volume of serum may be reduced as a result of being on ice.

Do not freeze/thaw specimens more than once.

Test is not affected by hemolysis or lipemia.