Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Plasma

Container/Tube: Light green-top (lithium heparin) tube

Specimen: 2 mL of lithium heparin plasma

Transport Temperature: Ambient

Collection Instructions: Fasting (8 hour). Plasma should be separated from red cells promptly because red cells contain phosphate concentrations several times greater than those found in serum. Hemolyzed specimen may cause falsely elevated values. Icterus or lipemic specimen may yield falsely decreased results.

Note:

1. Indicate plasma.
2. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

Serum

Container/Tube: Plain, red-top tube or serum gel tube

Specimen: 2 mL of serum

Transport Temperature: Ambient

Collection Instructions: Fasting (8 hour). Serum should be separated from red cells promptly because red cells contain phosphate concentrations several times greater than those found in serum. Hemolyzed specimen may cause falsely elevated values. Icterus or lipemic specimen may yield falsely decreased results.

Note:

1. Indicate serum.
2. Label specimen appropriately (serum).