Samples should not be taken from patients receiving therapy with high biotin doses (i.e. > 5 mg/day) until at least 8 hours following the last biotin administration.

Fasting is recommended prior to specmen collection

 Fasting for a blood test

Gold serum separator (SST) tube

Immediately following collection, thoroughly mix sample by gently inverting 5 times

1. Allow sample to clot for a minimum of 30 minutes
2. Spin within two (2) hours of sample collection
3. Transfer serum to a False bottom plasma/serum transport vial/tube (AHL), labelled as serum
4. Freeze

False bottom plasma/serum transport vial/tube (AHL)

Lt green plasma separator (PST)

Immediately following collection, mix sample thoroughly by gently inverting 8 - 10, times to prevent clotting

1. Spin
2. Transfer plasma to a False bottom plasma/serum transport vial/tube (AHL), labelled as the appropriate plasma type, within two (2) hours of sample collection
3. Freeze

False bottom plasma/serum transport vial/tube (AHL)

Frozen (preferred) - 1 month

Ambient - 4 hours

Refrigerated - 24 hours

• Improper labels (unlabeled or mislabeled)
• Hemolysis 
• Improper anticoagulant or ratio
• Delay in transport
• Improper storage temperature affecting results
• Improper container
• Leaking container resulting in compromised specimen
• Quantity not sufficient (QNS)
• Serum frozen in the gel collection tube

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA)

1.1 - 4.4 ng/mL