One 6 mL Royal Blue (no additives) top tube.

Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transport 2 mL serum in an ARUP Trace Element Free Transport tube (Min: 0.5 mL).

Patient Preparation:

Diet, medication, and nutritional supplements may introduce interfering substances. Patients should be encouraged to discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, nonessential over-the-counter medications for 48 hours (upon the advice of their physician). In addition, the administration of iodine-based contrast media and drugs containing iodine may yield elevated results. During venipuncture, do not use disinfectants (such as Betadine) that contain iodine.

Ambient: 30 days; Refrigerated: 30 days; Frozen: 30 days

Specimens not received in Trace Element Free transport tubes. Separator tubes and specimens that are not separated from the clot within 2 hours. Serum collected within 48 hours after administration of a gadolinium (Gd) or iodine (I) containing contrast media (may occur with MRI studies). Plasma.