Plasma

Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.

3 mL whole blood in light green top or TWO Microtainer^® devices

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

1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)

Males 10-80 nmol/L
Females, non-pregnant 20-130 nmol/L

Reference ranges are not well established during pregnancy, although pregnant women tend to have markedly higher SHBG plasma concentrations due to increased estrogen production. Reference ranges in pre- pubertal children tend to be higher than adults.

Elevated SHBG levels can be seen in elderly men, and are often found in patients with hyperthyroidism and cirrhosis of the liver. SHBG levels also increase when oral contraceptives or anti-epileptic drugs are taken. Decreased SHBG concentrations are often seen with hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome, obesity, hirsutism, elevated androgen levels, alopecia, and acromegaly.

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.

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.

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