Specimen Required

Both plasma and serum are required.

Patient Preparation: Fasting: 12 hours, preferred but not required

Specimen Type: Plasma

Collection Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL Plasma

Collection Instructions:

1. Tube must remain at 37° C.

2. Centrifuge at 37° C. Do not use a refrigerated centrifuge. If absolutely necessary, ambient temperature is acceptable. It is very important that the specimen remains at 37° C until after separation of plasma from red blood cells.

3. Place plasma into an appropriately labeled plastic vial.

Specimen Type: Serum

Collection Container/Tube: Red top (serum gel/SST are not acceptable)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 5 mL Serum

Collection Instructions:

1. Tube must remain at 37° C.

2. Allow blood to clot at 37° C.

3. Centrifuge at 37° C. Do not use a refrigerated centrifuge. If absolutely necessary, ambient temperature is acceptable. It is very important that the specimen remains at 37° C until after separation of serum from red blood cells.

4. Place serum into an appropriately labeled plastic vial.

Additional Information: Analysis cannot be performed with less than 3 mL of serum. Smaller volumes are insufficient to detect clinically important trace (mixed) cryoglobulins. Less than 3 mL will require collection and submission of a new specimen.