One 7.5 mL serum separator tube (SST). Also acceptable: One 5 mL red top tube.
Handling:
Allow to clot, centrifuge and separate serum from cells within 2 hours. Refrigerate. Freeze if specimen cannot be assayed within 8 days. Allow no more than one freeze/thaw cycle.
Stability:
8 days refrigerated, or 3 months frozen if frozen within 24 hours of collection.
Standard Volume:
1 mL serum.
Minimum Volume:
0.5 mL serum.
Transport:
Refrigerated, or frozen on dry ice.
Comments:
Apolipoprotein B is the main protein component of LDL (log-density lipoprotein) and accounts for 95% of the total protein content of LDL. Elevated levels of Apo B are frequently found in patients with atherosclerotic vascular changes and are a risk factor for atherosclerosis.
Rejection Criteria:
Specimen frozen and thawed more than once.
MEDICARE MAY REQUIRE A SIGNED ADVANCE BENEFICIARY NOTICE (ABN) FOR THIS TEST