Specimen Requirement

Preferred Collection Container: 

Lavender (EDTA)

Also Acceptable Collection Container: 

Dark Green (Sodium Heparin)

Collection Information: 

Collect blood in a lavender EDTA tube.

Transport Information: 

Send specimen in original container. Do NOT centrifuge. Send refrigerated.

Minimum Sample Volume: 

1.0 mL of whole blood

Remarks: 

T, B, and NK Panel includes the percent and absolute counts of Lymphocyte subsets thus Absolute Lymphocyte Count is necessary. Please include CBC/WBC with Differential when you order the T, B, and NK Panel or send a copy of CBC/WBC with Differential with the sample. 

Unacceptable Conditions: 

Clotted specimens, frozen specimens, and wrong anticoagulant used

Stability

Refrigerated Stability: 

96 hours - Preferred

Frozen Stability: 

NOT Acceptable

Ambient Stability: 

72 hours