Collection Instructions

Specimen Collection: Blood

Container(s): 4.5 mL Mint Green Top (Lithium Heparin Gel) or 5.0 mL Gold Top (Serum Separator-SST Gel)

Preferred Volume to Collect: 4.5 mL

Minimum Volume to Collect: 2.0 mL

Neonate Volume to Collect: 1.0 mL

Capillary collect ok? Yes

Microtainer acceptable: Yes

Collection Instructions:

• Avoid hemolysis
• After collection, gently invert tube 8-10 times.
• C3 and C4 can be run off of same 1 mL of serum or plasma.
• Specimen should be processed within 2 hours – See Processing Instructions.

Processing Instructions (Laboratory, Outpatient or Off-site collection)

• Processed Specimen: Plasma or Serum
• Centrifuge/Spin: Yes
• Aliquot: Yes
• Processing Instructions:
  • Plasma is preferred specimen type
  • Green Tube/Plasma: Centrifuge after collection.
  • Gold Tube/Serum: Allow blood to clot for 30 minutes in a vertical position and centrifuge within 2 hours.
  • Minimum volume: 1.0 mL plasma or serum
• Transport Temperature: Refrigerated