One 7.5 mL serum separator tube (SST). Also acceptable: One 4 mL red top tube, 4 mL green top tube (heparin), or 4.5 mL lavender top tube (EDTA).
Handling:
Allow to clot, centrifuge and separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection and transport in original tube. Heparin or EDTA must be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection and the plasma separated into a plastic vial for transport. Refrigerate. Note time and date of last dose. Freeze if specimen cannot be assayed within 48 hours.
Standard Volume:
0.5 mL serum or plasma.
Minimum Volume:
150 µL serum or plasma.
Transport:
Refrigerated, or frozen on dry ice.
Rejection Criteria:
Specimen frozen/thawed more than once; refrigerated specimen received in laboratory more than 48 hours after collection.