ALDOSTERONE, SERUM

TEST ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS Fill out test request form fully & legibly. Results are posture dependant. Specify whether collection was done in supine or upright position. If possible, antihypertensives and diuretics should be stopped 1-2weeks prior to sample collection. PATIENT PREPARATION: Should be ambulatory or upright for at least 2 hours prior to sample collection. Should rest for 15 minutes before sample collection. SAMPLE TYPE: Serum (frozen) CONTAINER/ PRESERVATIVE: serum separator tube (SST/ gel) or plain (red top) vacutainer. SAMPLE VOLUME: At least 3mL REJECTION CRITERIA Labelling issue (unlabeled/ mislabeled); samples at room temperature; missing request form; mismatch between request form & sample details; missing age/ gender; wrong sample type; insufficient sample. OTHER INSTRUCTIONS Centrifuge SST (serum gel tubes) within 1-2 hours of collection. Centrifuge red top vacutainers and aliquot serum within 1-2 hours of collection. The separation vial must be labelled with at least 2 patient identifiers and the sample type. SHIPPING/ TRANSPORTATION REQUIREMENTS Shipping Temperature: Frozen preferred. STABILITY IN SERUM/PLASMA Room Temperature: 8 hours at 20-25°C │ Refrigerated: 4 days at 2-8°C │ Frozen: 30 days at -20°C