Collect: Plain red. Also acceptable: Lavender (EDTA), pink (K2EDTA or K3EDTA), green (sodium or lithium heparin), or gray (sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate). Also acceptable (avoid if possible): Serum separator tube or plasma separator tube (follow preparation instructions below).
Specimen Preparation: Separate serum or plasma from cells within 6 hours of collection. Transfer 0.5 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.2 mL) SST or PST: Serum or plasma in a gel separator tube stored at room temperature is acceptable if separated from the gel within 6 hours. Serum or plasma in a gel separator tube stored refrigerated is acceptable if separated from the gel within 2 hours.
Storage/Transport Temperature: Refrigerated.
Unacceptable Conditions: Citrated plasma. Tubes that contain liquid anticoagulant.
Stability (collection to initiation of testing): After separation from cells: Ambient: 1 week; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 2 months
