Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Rejection Criteria
Samples collected in serum separator tube Whole blood Citrate (light blue top) plasma ACD or SPS (yellow top) plasma
Reference Range(s)
Therapeutic Range (Trough): 100-1000 NG/ML Toxic: >1000 NG/ML
Specimen Requirements
Preferred Specimen
Plain red top tube
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL serum
Sample Stability
1 day room temperature 2 weeks refrigerated 4 months frozen
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Collection Instructions
1 mL serum from a plain red top tube. 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. Refrigerate.
Alternative Specimen
Separate plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer plasma to a plastic transport tube, clearly label tube as EDTA plasma plasma. Refrigerate.