Specimen Requirements

Do not use samples that have been stored at room temperature for longer than 8 hours.

Tightly cap and refrigerate specimens at 2–8°C up to 24 hours.

Draw blood in a serum gel or no gel tube(s), preferred. Lithium heparin plasma is acceptable.

Spin down and send 1 mL of serum (or plasma) refrigerated. If there is a delay in transport of >24 hours, freeze specimen in plastic vial.

Unspun specimens must be transported at ambient temperature and arrive to the laboratory within one hour of draw.