Instructions for Professionals
Please follow carefully these Instructions before collecting the samples:
ACE (sACE): Fresh serum. Separate 1 mL of serum as soon as possible after collection and store refrigerated at 4°C.
AChR: (Acetycholine Recpto r Antibody) Collect blood in ice immersed plain tube. Separate 1 mL of serum in refrigerated centrifuge and freeze immediately. Store frozen at -20°C in plastic tubes. Transport frozen specimen to the laboratory in dry-ice following collection.
ACTH: Collect blood in the morning, in ice immersed EDTA tube (serum is not suitable). Separate 1 mL of plasma in refrigerated centrifuge and freeze immediately. Store frozen at -20°C in plastic tubes. Transport frozen specimen to the laboratory in dry-ice following collection.
ADH: Collect blood in ice immersed Lithium Heparin tube (serum is not suitable), without delay separate 2.0 mL of plasma in a refrigerated centrifuge and freeze immediately. Store frozen at -20°C. Transport frozen specimen to the laboratory in dry-ice following collection. Serum/Urine Osmolality of the patient must be known in order to assess the ADH results
Aldosterone: Cold serum or EDTA plasma. The patient has to be either on rest or in activemovement (according to the physician΄s instructions) for at least 30 min before the sampling. Collect 2mL of blood in a plain tube previously immersed in ice. Separate the serum immediately after collection and store frozen at less than -20°C. Hemolysis interferes with the test. Transport frozen the specimen to the laboratory in dry-ice following collection.
Amylase: 2 hrs urine sample without preservative (refrigerated). The first urine sample is not collected and the second sample, 20 mL (after exactly 2 hrs) is collected. The container is kept refrigerated.
Androstenedione (D4): Serum or EDTA, Heparin plasma. Separate 1 mL of sample as soon as possible after collection and refrigerate at 4°C.
Angiotensin I: Cold EDTA plasma. The patient has to be either on rest or in active movement (according to the physician?s instructions) for at least 30 min before the sampling. Collect blood in a tube containing sodium EDTA previously immersed in ice. Separate 1 mL of plasma immediately after collection and store frozen at less than -20°C. Hemolysis interferes with the test. Transport frozen the specimen to the laboratory in dry-ice following collection.
Anti Thrombin III (mg/L): Fresh serum. Separate 1 mL of serum as soon as possible after collection and refrigerate at 4°C.
AStM: (Anti Striated Muscle Antibody) Collect blood in ice immersed plain tube. Separate 1 mL of serum in refrigerated centrifuge and freeze immediately. Store frozen at -20°C in plastic tubes. Transport frozen specimen to the laboratory in dry-ice following collection.
Bicarbonate: Collect blood sample in ice immersed tube (plain or EDTA are suitable), separate serum or plasma as soon as possible and send to the lab refrigerated at 4°C without any delay.
Bone Alk. Phosphatase: Fresh serum. Separate 1 mL of serum as soon as possible after collection and refrigerate at 4°C.
C-Peptide: Fasting serum or heparin plasma. Separate 1 mL of sample as soon as possible after collection and refrigerate at 4°C.
Calcitonin: Separate and freeze 1 mL of serum immediately after collection.Store frozen at -20°C in plastic tubes. Transport frozen specimen to the laboratory in dry-ice following collection.
Calcium: 24 hrs urine sample in Boric ac, 15 g: In a big plastic container add approx. 15 g Boric ac., dissolve it in about 10 mL distilled water, close the container and give to the patient. The first urine sample is not collected and the last sample (after exactly 24 hrs) is collected. The container is kept in a fresh place, avoiding direct sunlight. Send 20 mL of sample to the Lab.
Catecholamines: 24 hrs urine sample in 6N HCl: In a big plastic container add 5 mL distilled water and then add 5 mL concentrated (about 38%) HCl, close the container and give to the patient (warning: this preservative is an strong acid!. If it becames in contact with the skin, wash with plenty tap water) The first urine sample is not collected and the last sample (after exactly 24 hrs) is collected. The container is kept in a fresh place, avoiding direct sunlight. Send 20 mL of sample to the Lab.
CCP: Fresh serum. Separate 1 mL of serum as soon as possible after collection and refrigerate at 4°C.
Cortisol Urine (Free cortisol): 24 hrs urine sample in Boric ac, 15 g: In a big plastic container add approx. 15 g Boric ac., dissolve it in about 10 mL distilled water, close the container and give to the patient. The first urine sample is not collected and the last sample (after exactly 24 hrs) is collected. The container is kept in a fresh place, avoiding direct sunlight. Send 20 mL of sample to the Lab.
Coagulation Studies: Special procedures are followed in order the perform such sudies Antithrombin III Activity %, APCR, APTT, Coagulation Factors (V, VΙΙ, VIII, IX, XI, XII, vVW), d-Dimer, Fibrinogen, INR , LA1, LA2, Lupus Anticoagulant, Protein C, Protein S):
Creatinine Urine: 24 hrs urine sample in Boric ac, 15 g: In a big plastic container add approx. 15 g Boric ac., dissolve it in about 10 mL distilled water, close the container and give to the patient. The first urine sample is not collected and the last sample (after exactly 24 hrs) is collected. The container is kept in a fresh place, avoiding direct sunlight. Send 20 mL of sample to the Lab.
Cryoglobulins: Serum collected in tubes pre-warmed at 37°C. Separate 1 mL of serum immediately after collection and keep warmed at 37°C.
D-Dimer: Citrate plasma.Separate 1 mL of plasma (by double centrifugation) immediately after collection and store frozen at less than -20°C.
Dpd: 2 hrs urine sample without preservative (refrigerate). The patient is asked to empty the blader, then to drink 250mL fresh water and after 2 hrs to take a urine sample. Send 20 mL of sample to the Lab.
Electrolytes Urine: 24 hrs urine sample without preservative (refrigerate). The first urine sample is not collected and the last sample (after exactly 24 hrs) is collected in a big plastic container. The container is kept in a fresh place, avoiding direct sunlight. Send 20 mL of sample to the Lab.
Folic acid: Serum or heparin plasma. Separate 1 mL of sample as soon as possible after collection and refrigerate at 4°C. Avoid exposure to light. In case of RBCs Folate, collect 1mL of heparin whole boold and send refrigerated to the Lab.
Growth Hormone: Fresh serum. Separate 1 mL of serum as soon as possible after collection and refrigerate at 4°C.
5-HIAA: 24 hrs urine sample in 6N HCl: In a big plastic container add 5 mL distilled water and then add 5 mL concentrated (about 38%) HCl close the container and give to the patient (warning: this preservative is an strong acid!. If it becames in contact with the skin, wash with plenty tap water) The first urine sample is not collected and the last sample (after exactly 24 hrs) is collected. The container is kept in a fresh place, avoiding direct sunlight. Send 20 mL of sample to the Lab.
HIV DNA: 5mL whole blood (ETDA, ACD or Heparin). Keep refrigerated. Send 2 mL of sample to the Lab.
IGF I/IGF BP3: Separate 1 mL of serum in refrigerated centrifuge and freeze immediately. Store frozen at -20°C in plastic tubes. Transport frozen specimen to the laboratory in dry-ice following collection.
Influenza A & Influenza B antigens Collect enough nasal or throat sample using standard medical sample collection swab and avoiding contamination from normal flora places. Send the swab to the laboratory as soon as possible. Specimen swab may be stored dry in a closed container up to 8 hrs at RT or immersed in standard microbiology transport medium refrigerated up to 3 days.
Lactic acid: Li-Heparin, NaF-EDTA, NaF-Oxalate plasma, twice cold centrifuged. Separate 1 mL of sample and keep frozen at -20°C.
LAP (Leucocyte Alkaline Phosphatase) score: Make several fresh blood or bone marrow smears immediately after collection. If it is not possible, collect 1mL of blood or BM sample in any heparin anticoagulant, and send to the lab without delay. Do not use EDTA anticoagulated samples for the LAP score test.
Lupus anticoagulant: Citrated plasma, twice cold centrifuged. Separate 1mL of sample. Keep frozen at -20°C.
Microalbumin: 24 hrs urine sample in Boric ac (15 g) or random urine sample(refrigerate). 24hrs urine sample: In a big plastic container add approx. 15 g Boric ac., dissolve it in about 10 mL distilled water, close the container and give to the patient. The first urine sample is not collected and the last sample (after exactly 24 hrs) is collected. The container is kept in a fresh place, avoiding direct sunlight. Send 20 mL of sample to the Lab.
Myasthemia gravis profile: Collect blood in ice immersed plain tube. Separate 2.0 mL of serum in refrigerated centrifuge and freeze immediately. Store frozen at -20°C in plastic tubes. Transport frozen specimen to the laboratory in dry-ice following collection.
Osteocalcin: Collect blood sample in the morning, in ice immersed EDTA tube (serum is not suitable).Separate 1mL of plasma in refrigerated centrifuge and freeze mmediately. Store frozen at -20°C in plastic tubes. Transport frozen specimen to the laboratory in dry-ice following collection.
Phosphorous Urine: 24 hrs urine sample in 6N HCl: In a big plastic container add 5 mL distilled water and then add 5 mL concentrated (about 38%) HCl, close the container and give to the patient (warning: this preservative is an strong acid!. If it becames in contact with the skin, wash with plenty tap water) The first urine sample is not collected and the last sample (after exactly 24 hrs) is collected. The container is kept in a fresh place, avoiding direct sunlight. Send 20 mL of sample to the Lab.
Potassium Urine: 24 hrs or random urine sample without preservative (refrigerate only). The first urine sample is not collected and the last sample (after exactly 24 hrs) is collected. If random urine is used, the first morning sample is the best. The container is kept in a fresh place, avoiding direct sunlight. Send 20 mL of sample to the Lab.
17-OH Progesterone: Fresh serum. Separate 1mL of serum as soon as possible after collection and refrigerate at 4°C.
Protein Urine: 24 hrs urine sample in Boric ac, 15 g: In a big plastic container add approx. 15 g Boric ac., dissolve it in about 10 mL distilled water, close the container and give to the patient. The first urine sample is not collected and the last sample (after exactly 24 hrs) is collected. The container is kept in a fresh place, avoiding direct sunlight. Send 20 mL of sample to the Lab.
PTH: Serum or EDTA plasma. Separate 1mL of sample in refrigerated centrifuge and freeze immediately. Store frozen at -20°C in plastic tubes. Transport frozen the specimen to the laboratory in dry-ice following collection.
Renin: Cold EDTA plasma. The patient has to be either on rest or in active movement (according to the physicians instructions) for at least 30 min before the sampling. Collect 2mL of blood in a tube containing sodium EDTA previously immersed in ice. Separate the plasma immediately after collection and store frozen at less than -20°C. Hemolysis interferes with the test. Transport frozen the specimen to the laboratory in dry-ice following collection.
Serotonin: Cold EDTA or Heparin whole blood. Collect 5mL of blood in a EDTA or Heparin tube previously immersed in ice. Do not separate the plasma. Send the blood refrigerated to the lab as soon as possible immediately following the collection.
Sodium Urine: 24 hrs or random urine sample without preservative (refrigerate only). The first urine sample is not collected and the last sample (after exactly 24 hrs) is collected. If random urine is used, the first morning sample is the best. The container is kept in a fresh place, avoiding direct sunlight. Send 20 mL of sample to the Lab.
Thrombosis/Coagulation Special procedures are followed (Antithrombin III %, APCR, APTT, Coagulation Factors (V, VΙΙ, VIII, IX, XI, XII, vVW), , d-Dimer, Fibrinogen, INR, LA1, LA2, Lupus Anticoagulant, Protein C, Protein S): Συλλέγουμε δείγμα σε 2 σωληνάρια με Na-Citrate και τα φυγοκεντρούμε 15 λεπτά στις 4000 στροφές. Αφαιρούμε με προσοχή το πλάσμα από το υπερκείμενo (χωρίς καθόλου κύτταρα ή αιμοπετάλια) σε δεύτερο σωληνάριο και το φυγοκεντρούμε ξανά 10 λεπτά. Μεταφέρουμε το καθαρό πλάσμα σε τρίτο σωληνάριο και το διατηρούμε στους -20 ° C. Το πλάσμα μεταφέρεται κατεψυγμένο στο εργαστήριο.
Troponin T: Whole EDTA blood. Send refrigerated 1mL to the Laboratory.
TSH Receptor Antibodies (TR-AB): Separate and freeze 1mL of serum immediately after collection.Store frozen at -20°C in plastic tubes. Transport frozen specimen to the laboratory in dry-ice following collection.
Uric Acid Urine: 24 hrs urine sample in Boric ac, 15 g: In a big plastic container add approx. 15 g Boric ac., dissolve it in about 10 mL distilled water, close the container and give to the patient. The first urine sample is not collected and the last sample (after exactly 24 hrs) is collected. The container is kept in a fresh place, avoiding direct sunlight. Send 20 mL of sample to the Lab.
Vasopressin (ADH): Collect blood in ice immersed Lithium Heparin tube (serum is not suitable), without delay separate 1 mL of plasma in a refrigerated centrifuge and freeze immediately. Store frozen at -20°C. Transport frozen specimen to the laboratory in dry-ice following collection.
Vitamin B12: Serum or heparin plasma. Separate 1mL of sample as soon as possible after collection and refrigerate at 4°C.Avoid exposure to light.
Vitamin D (25-OH): Separate 1,5 mL of serum sample in refrigerated centrifuge and freeze immediately. Store frozen at -20°C in plastic tubes. Avoid exposure to light.
VMA: 24 hrs urine sample in 6N HCl (Click here for special preparation of the Patient before the test): In a big plastic container add 5 mL distilled water and then add 5 mL concentrated (about 38%) HCl, close the container and give to the patient (Warning: this preservative is an strong acid! If it became in contact with the skin, wash with plenty tap water) The first urine sample is not collected and the last sample (after exactly 24 hrs) is collected. The container is kept in a fresh place, avoiding direct sunlight. Send 20 mL of sample to the Lab.
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