Specimen Required

Both plasma and serum are required.

Cryofibrinogen

Collection Container/Tube: Lavender top (EDTA)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Tube must remain at 37° C.

2. Centrifuge at 37° C. (Do not use a refrigerated centrifuge. If absolutely necessary, ambient temperature is acceptable.) It is very important that the specimen remain at 37° C until after separation of plasma from red blood cells.

3. Place plasma into an appropriately labeled plastic vial.

Cryoglobulin

Collection Container/Tube: Red top (serum gel/SST are not acceptable)

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Tube must remain at 37° C.

2. Allow blood to clot at 37° C.

3. Centrifuge at 37° C. (Do not use a refrigerated centrifuge. If absolutely necessary, ambient temperature is acceptable.) It is very important that the specimen remain at 37° C until after separation of serum from red blood cells.

4. Place serum into an appropriately labeled plastic vial.

Additional Information: Analysis cannot be performed with less than 3 mL of serum. Smaller volumes are insufficient to detect clinically important trace (mixed) cryoglobulins. Less than 3 mL will require collection and submission a new specimen.