Patient must be fasting 8-16 hours. Two specimens total: one 7.5 mL serum separator tube (SST), and one 5 mL red top tube or one 4 mal lavender top tube (EDTA) for each draw.
Handling:
Allow to clot, centrifuge and immediately separate serum or plasma into two plastic vials. Refrigerate. Freeze if specimen cannot be assayed within 24 hours. If multiple tests are ordered, send separate specimen for this test.
Stability:
8 hours ambient, 24 hours refrigerated, or 1 month frozen at -20° C.
Standard Volume:
0.5 mL serum or plasma.
Minimum Volume:
250 µL serum or plasma.
Transport:
Refrigerated, or frozen on dry ice.
Comments:
Includes fasting and 2-hour insulin levels.
Rejection Criteria:
Hemolysis; plasma other than EDTA; specimen frozen/thawed more than once.