One 7.5 mL serum separator tube (SST). Also acceptable: One 5 mL red top tube, one 4 mL green top tube (heparin), or one 4.5 mL light green plasma separator tube (PST).
Handling:
Centrifuge SST or PST within 2 hours of collection and transport in original tube. Centrifuge red top or heparin tube within 2 hours, separate plasma and pour into a plastic vial. Refrigerate. Freeze if specimen cannot be assayed within 48 hours. Allow no more than one freeze/thaw cycle.
Standard Volume:
1.0 mL serum.
Minimum Volume:
0.5 mL serum.
Transport:
Refrigerated if received in laboratory within 48 hours, or frozen on dry ice.
Rejection Criteria:
Specimen frozen and thawed more than once; refrigerated specimen received in laboratory more than 48 hours after collection.
MEDICARE MAY REQUIRE A SIGNED ADVANCE BENEFICIARY NOTICE (ABN) FOR THIS TEST