Specimen Requirements

Renin Direct:

Preparation of Patient: 

Fasting recommended but not required.   Draw patient in mid morning, after patient bas been upright and out of bed for > 2 hours.  Have patient seated 5 - 10 minutes before collection.

Container Type: 

6mL EDTA Lavender Top Tube

Specimen Type:

Plasma

Specimen Volume: 

3.0 mL Plasma minimum 1.0 mL

Specimen Handling/Transport:

Keep sample at room temperature and transport immediately to laboratory for processing.

Centrifuge in a non-refrigerated centrifuge.  Exposing samples to cold temperature (4°C or below) will activate pro-renin and will falsely elevate results. 

For non-MMC hospital laboratories freeze plasma immediately and transport plasma aliquot frozen.

Specimen Stability/Storage:

5 days frozen

Specimen Rejection:

Reject for any hemolysis

Reject if sample has been exposed to cold temperatures (4°C or below) at any point before the sample is frozen.

Aldosterone:

Preparation of Patient: 

Patient should be drawn in an upright position. Collect samples mid-morning after the patient has been up for at least 2 hrs. Have the patient remain seated for 5-10 minutes prior to the draw.

Container Type: 

Gold Top 6mL SST Gel & Clot Activator Tube

Specimen Type:

Serum

Specimen Volume: 

2.5 mL Serum minimum 1.0 mL

Specimen Handling/Transport:

Transport refrigerated 2 - 8°C

Specimen Stability/Storage:

 5 days refrigerated 2 - 8°C,

4 weeks frozen -20°C

Specimen Rejection:

Gross hemolysis

Gross lipemia

Gross icterus