NOTE: Specimens may be collected Monday through Thursday (Friday collection not recommended). Please DO NOT collect on weekends, day before a holiday or on a holiday.

This test requires four unique blood collection tubes and special manipulation of those tubes once the specimen has been obtained. Physician clients in the local Syracuse area are encouraged NOT to collect this test in their office. Please write an order for the test and send the patient(s) to one of the Lab Alliance Patient Service Centers.

Four special blood collection tubes are needed per patient. Immediately after blood collection shake them 10 times just firmly enough to ensure the entire inner surface of the tube is coated with blood. Over-energetic shaking may cause gel disruption and could lead to aberrant results.

Specimen should be transported at room temperature (22ºC ± 5ºC) and forwarded to the Operations Center within 16 hours of collection.

Blood samples received longer than 16 hours after specimen collection; specimens refrigerated or exposed to excessive heat, over- or under-filled tubes; submission in any tubes other than 4 collection tubes. All 4 specific collection tubes must be submitted.