Two tubes total: One 4 mL lavender top tube (EDTA) and one 7.5 mL serum separator tube (SST). Patient must be fasting 12-16 hours. Patient should avoid exercising forearm before collection.
Handling:
Allow SST to clot and centrifuge within one hour of collection. Submit specimens in original tubes. Refrigerate. Transport to lab same day or submit slides with blood.
Stability:
WBC and platelet count may decline after 24 hours; 48 hours maximum delay.
Standard Volume:
2 mL EDTA whole blood and 2 mL serum.
Minimum Volume:
1 mL EDTA whole blood and 1 mL serum.
Transport:
Refrigerated.
Rejection Criteria:
EDTA whole blood: gross hemolysis, clotted or frozen specimen. Serum: serum in contact with cells for more than 3 hours.
MEDICARE MAY REQUIRE A SIGNED ADVANCE BENEFICIARY NOTICE (ABN) FOR THIS TEST