Specimen Requirements

Container Type: Serum Separator 

Alternate Type: Red Top
Specimen Type: Serum
Preferred Volume: 1 mL
Emergency Minimum Volume: 0.3 mL
Specimen Processing: Separate serum from cells as soon as possible by centrifugation. Store and transport refrigerated. Protect specimen from light. One freeze/thaw acceptable.
Unacceptable Conditions: Specimens not protected from light. Hemolyzed specimens.
Limitations: Hemolysis significantly increases folate values due to the high folate concentrations in red blood cells. Samples should not be taken from patients receiving therapy with high biotin doses (i.e. >5 mg/day) until at least 8 hours following the last biotin administration.

Alternate Specimens: Plain Serum Tube (Red Top)

Stability: