Specimen Requirements

Option1: Draw blood in 2 plain, red-top tube(s). 5 mL of serum required. Transport immediately to the laboratory.

                Note: Specimen must be kept warm until arrival in laboratory. Do not refrigerate.

                Tip: Use heel warmer to keep at 37° C  

Option 2:

Collection Container/Tube: 2 Red top tubes (serum gel/SST are not acceptable)

Specimen Volume: 5 mL Serum

Collection Instructions:

1. Tube must remain at 37° C.

2. Allow blood to clot at 37° C for 24 hours using heat block or water bath.

3. Centrifuge specimens. Do not use a refrigerated centrifuge. It is very important that the specimen remains at 37° C until after separation of serum from red blood cells.

4. Aliquot serum from cells and place serum into plastic tube.

5. Transport serum at room temp. Do not refrigerate.