Specimen Requirements

Container/Tube:

Preferred:  Lavender (EDTA) tube (only acceptable tube type)
Specimen Volume: 0.25 mL of plasma

Stability: Centrifuge immediately and separated specimens may be stored refrigerated or in ice water for up to 2 hours. Samples can be frozen up to 3 days.  Specimens should be to the testing lab within 1 hour of collection.

Note:  Venipuncture should occur prior to sulfasalazine and/or sulfapyridine administration due to the potential for falsely depressed results.

Transport:  Specimens should be sent on ice to the laboratory.

Collection Instructions: Forward promptly.

• The specimen should be drawn from a statis-free vein. 
• The tube should be completely filled, centrifuged immediately, separated from the cells or with plasma separater and forwarded to the laboratory promptly.
• Concentration of ammonia may more than double in plasma if stored at room temperature, so it is important that samples are processed right away. 
• Hemolyzed samples are unacceptable.