Specimen Requirements

Plasma
Draw blood in a green-top (lithium heparin) tube (preferred); a dark green-top (sodium heparin) tube is also acceptable (not preferred).  (EDTA Plasma is not acceptable.) Spin down and separate 1 mL of plasma. Refrigerate if test will not be performed within 2 hours. Keep at refrigerated temperatures during courier transport.

Serum (Not preferred)

Draw blood in a gold top tube. Plain red and tiger top SST are acceptable. Allow plain red to clot before centrifugation, otherwise centrifuge immediately after collection. If sample does not have gel barrier, promptly seperate from contact with cells after centrifugation and send a 1 mL aliquot of serum. Keep at refrigerated temperatures during courier transport.