Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation

For 3 days prior to day of testing, the patient should consume unrestricted high carbohydrate diet (150 g/day) and have normal physical activity.  Patient should fast 8 hours prior to start of test.

Draw a fasting specimen

Patient is given 75 g glucola or 75g Fresh Test (give children 1.75 g glucose per kg of child’s weight).  Fresh Test is an alternative to Glucola, and is provided by the patient.  NOTE:  It is also acceptable to have the patient consume another source of glucose (jellybeans, sugar water, etc) if directed to by their provider.

Blood is to be drawn two hours later

Instruct patient to remain fasting, (no food, no drinks, only sips of water) throughout test.  Advise no smoking and limited exercise.  Advise patient to inform lab or nursing staff when symptoms of nausea, vomiting, dizziness,dyspnea, fainting occur.

Container Type: 

Gold Top 6mL SST Gel & Clot Activator Tube

Or

Green Top 5mL Lithium Heparin Separator Tube

Or

5.5mL Sodium Fluoride(NaF)/Potassium Oxalate Grey Top Tube

Specimen Type:

Serum or Plasma

Specimen Volume: 

2.5 mL Serum or Plasma

minimum .5 mL of Serum or Plasma

Specimen Handling/Transport:

Separate serum or plasma  from cells within 2 hours of collection if not in NaF (grey top).  Transport ambient room temperature.

Specimen Stability/Storage:

8 hours ambient room temperature or 24 hours ambient room temperature if NaF (grey top)

3 days refrigerated 2-8°C