1. 𝙍𝙚𝙙 𝙏𝙤𝙥 𝙏𝙪𝙗𝙚 (𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙏𝙪𝙗𝙚)
𝑨𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆: No anticoagulant or preservative
Use: Serum collection for biochemical tests, serology, and immunology
Processing: Blood clots naturally, and serum is separated after centrifugation
2. 𝙂𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙤𝙧 𝙔𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙏𝙤𝙥 𝙏𝙪𝙗𝙚 (𝙎𝙎𝙏 – 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙪𝙢 𝙎𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧 𝙏𝙪𝙗𝙚)
𝑨𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆: Clot activator and gel for serum separation
Use: Chemistry tests, hormone assays, and serology
Processing: After clot formation, centrifugation separates serum from cells
3. 𝙇𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚 𝙏𝙤𝙥 𝙏𝙪𝙗𝙚
𝑨𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆: Sodium citrate (anticoagulant)
Use: Coagulation studies (PT, APTT, D-dimer)
Processing: Prevents clotting by binding calcium; plasma is used for testing
4. 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙏𝙤𝙥 𝙏𝙪𝙗𝙚
𝑨𝒅𝒅𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆: Heparin (Lithium or Sodium Heparin)
Use: Plasma chemistry tests, electrolyte panels, and ammonia levels
Processing: Prevents clotting by inhibiting thrombin and fibrin formation
5. 𝙇𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙧 𝙋𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙏𝙤𝙥 𝙏𝙪𝙗𝙚
Additive: EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, an anticoagulant)
Use: Hematology tests (CBC, blood smears, hemoglobin, blood typing)
Processing: Prevents clotting by binding calcium
6. 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙮 𝙏𝙤𝙥 𝙏𝙪𝙗𝙚
Additive: Sodium fluoride (glycolysis inhibitor) and potassium oxalate (anticoagulant)
Use: Glucose, lactate, and alcohol level testing
Processing: Prevents glycolysis, stabilizing glucose levels in the blood sample
7. 𝙇𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙔𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙏𝙤𝙥 𝙏𝙪𝙗𝙚 (𝘼𝘾𝘿 – 𝘼𝙘𝙞𝙙 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙚)
Additive: Acid citrate dextrose (preserves blood cells)
Use: DNA testing, HLA typing, and special studies
Processing: Prevents clotting while preserving white blood cells
8. 𝙋𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙏𝙤𝙥 𝙏𝙪𝙗𝙚
Additive: EDTA
Use: Blood banking, cross-matching, and blood typing
Processing: Prevents clotting and preserves blood cells
9. 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙏𝙤𝙥 𝙏𝙪𝙗𝙚
Additive: Sodium citrate
Use: Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
Processing: Prevents clotting and is specially designed for sedimentation rate tests
10. 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚 (𝙍𝙤𝙮𝙖𝙡 𝘽𝙡𝙪𝙚) 𝙏𝙤𝙥 𝙏𝙪𝙗𝙚
Additive: May contain EDTA, heparin, or no additive
Use: Trace metal analysis (zinc, copper, lead, mercury)
Processing: Specially treated to avoid contamination of heavy metals
11. 𝙊𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙏𝙤𝙥 𝙏𝙪𝙗𝙚 (𝙍𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙙 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙪𝙢 𝙏𝙪𝙗𝙚 – 𝙍𝙎𝙏)
Additive: Thrombin-based clot activator
Use: Rapid serum testing for emergency biochemistry tests
Processing: Clots quickly, reducing waiting time for serum separation.
𝙊𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝘿𝙧𝙖𝙬 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘽𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣
To avoid contamination between tubes, blood is drawn in a specific sequence:
1. Blood culture bottles (if applicable)
2. Light Blue (Citrate) Tube
3. Red, Gold (Serum Tubes, SST)
4. Green (Heparin Tube)
5. Lavender, Pink (EDTA Tubes)
6. Gray (Fluoride/Oxalate Tube)
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