Plasma

Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.

3 mL whole blood in plasma separator tube or TWO Microtainer^® devices

24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.

1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)

0-34 U/mL

This assay may be significantly impacted by high-dose biotin (>5 mg dose) taken within previous 12 hours. High concentrations of biotin may lead to falsely decreased results. These concentrations may be found in patients taking over-the-counter supplements with biotin content much higher than nutritional requirements for biotin. Specimens should not be collected until at least 12 hours after the last dose.

Please print, complete and submit the Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) along with the Laboratory Requisition before shipping the specimen.

As with all tests containing monoclonal antibodies, erroneous findings may be obtained from samples taken from patients who have been treated with monoclonal mouse antibodies (e.g., OC 125) or who have received them for diagnostic purposes. In rare cases, interference due to extremely high titers of antibodies to ruthenium can occur. Elecsys CA125 II contains additives which minimize these effects. Extremely high titers of antibodies to streptavidin can occur in isolated cases and cause interference. For diagnostic purposes, the Elecsys CA125 II finding should always be assessed in conjunction with the patient's medical history, clinical examination and other findings.

Hemolysis: No significant interference up to an H index of 3200 (approximate hemoglobin concentration: 3200 mg/dL).

Lipemia: No significant interference up to an L index of 2000 (approximate triglycerides concentration: 4000 mg/dL). Note there is poor correlation between turbidity and triglyceride concentration.

Icterus: No significant interference up to an I index of 66 (approximate conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin concentration: 66 mg/dL).

Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay

Centrifuge at a speed and time necessary to get barrier separation of plasma/serum and cells within 1 hour of collection. Send specimen in original tube. Do Not transfer to another tube.
Each sample must be labeled with at least TWO full patient identifiers (First/Last Name & DOB are sufficient for non-UIHC affiliated clients) to avoid sample rejection/delays.

Refrigerate.
All sample storage requirements are intended for delivery to UIHC within 24 hours of collection for testing. If samples won't arrive in this time period, please call the UIHC Core Lab for alternative storage/shipping instructions (319-356-3527).

Place labeled specimen into zip-lock type biohazard bag; seal bag.
Place completed requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Transport in cooler with refrigerated coolant packs.

See Additional Information:
Biotin Interference with Immunoassays