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🔬Lab & Specimen Handling

What is an EDTA tube?

EDTA tubes (lavender top) prevent coagulation and are used for hematology, CBC, and molecular testing.

EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) chelates calcium ions, preventing the coagulation cascade. This preserves cells in their native state, making EDTA tubes ideal for counting and characterizing blood cells.

Common tests using EDTA tubes:

  • Complete blood count (CBC with differential)
  • Reticulocyte count
  • ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
  • HbA1c
  • PCR and molecular tests (HIV viral load, COVID, influenza)
  • Blood bank (type and screen, crossmatch)

    • Invert 8–10 times after collection to thoroughly mix EDTA.

    What is a green top tube?What is a blue top tube?

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