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🔬Lab & Specimen Handling

How many tubes are needed per test?

Tube requirements vary by test. Your lab order specifies the tube types and quantities needed.

Typical tube requirements:

  • CBC: 1 EDTA (lavender) tube
  • CMP: 1 SST (gold) tube
  • Lipid panel: Can share SST tube with CMP
  • Coagulation (PT/INR): 1 sodium citrate (blue) tube
  • Thyroid (TSH): Shares SST tube
  • Hormone panel: 1–2 SST tubes (some require heparin/green)

    • For comprehensive panels ordering 10+ tests, phlebotomists typically fill 3–6 tubes covering all required analytes. Your lab requisition specifies the exact tube types and order of draw.

    What is the difference between serum and plasma?Can tubes be shared across tests?

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