Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Rejection Criteria
Room temperature samples Refrigerated samples Samples collected in serum separator tube
Reference Range(s)
By report
Specimen Requirements
Preferred Specimen
Plain red top tube
Minimum Volume
0.7 mL serum or plasma
Sample Stability
Unacceptable room temperature Unacceptable refrigerated 5 months frozen
Transport Temperature
Critical Frozen
Collection Instructions
Allow sample to clot in an upright position for at least 60 minutes, then centrifuge sample and transfer serum to a plastic transport tube within 2 hours of collection. Clearly label tube as serum from a plain red top tube. Freeze Note: Sample should be collected 1-6 hours post-dose. When multiple tests are ordered, submit separate tube for this test.
Alternative Specimen
2 mL EDTA (lavender top) plasma. Centrifuge sample and separate plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer plasma to a plastic transport tube. Clearly label tube as EDTA plasma. Freeze. Note: Sample should be collected 1-6 hours post-dose. When multiple tests are ordered, submit separate tube for this test.