🔬Lab & Specimen Handling
What is a green top tube?
A green top tube contains lithium heparin or sodium heparin and is used for plasma-based chemistry tests and some specialty panels.
Heparin anticoagulates blood by inhibiting thrombin, preventing clotting while preserving plasma. Green top tubes are used when plasma (rather than serum) is required for chemistry analysis, which allows faster processing (no wait for clotting).
Common tests using green top tubes:
Invert 8–10 times immediately after collection.
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- What is the best way to ensure sample quality?