Specimen Required

Patient Preparation: Patient should refrain from taking vitamins, or mineral herbal supplements for at least one week before sample collection

Specimen Type: Packed Red Blood Cells (RBCs) (Preferred)

Collection Container/Type

Preferred: Dark Blue EDTA (Metal free)

Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions: 

1. Centrifuge to separate plasma from RBC's and discard plasma. Transfer RBC's to a plastic transfer vial from a Quest Diagnostics (trace element and metal free) collection kit.

Specimen Type: Whole Blood (EDTA)

Collection Container/Type

Preferred: Dark Blue EDTA (Metal free)

Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA)

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions: 

1. Do not centrifuge whole blood.