Effective at 10:00 am on July 14, 2020, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics core laboratory will change methods for D-dimer (LAB602). Importantly, only blue top tubes will be acceptable for the new D-dimer test – PST tubes will be rejected. Details on the new method are as follows:

• Specimen Type: 2.7 mL light blue top tube (full draw) or 1.8 mL light blue top tube (full draw) – may be shared with other routine coagulation tests (PT, PTT, fibrinogen).


• Test Result Availability: within 1 hour of specimen receipt in the laboratory


• EPIC order code remains unchanged (LAB602


• Add-ons allowed for 24 hours after specimen collection

Questions should be directed to Anna Merrill, PhD (678-8400) or Sharath Bhagavathi, MD (678-8197).