Specimen Required

Specimen Type: Serum

Collection Container/Type

Preferred: Serum gold

Acceptable: Green top (Lithium heparin)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 3.5 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and separate cells after clot formation and within 4 hours of collection.  

Additional Information: If other metal tests are also desired when drawing for a serum magnesium level; the specimen must be drawn in a plain, royal blue-top Vacutainer plastic trace element blood collection tube.