Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation: Patient must be on a normal diet for 3 days prior to testing, and be fasting for at least 8 to 14 hours prior to test.

Specimen Type: Blood
Container/Tube:

Preferred: Light-green top (lithium heparin gel)

Acceptable: Red top, serum gel

Specimen Volume: Full tube

Specimen Minimum Volume: 2 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Draw a fasting specimen.

2. Give patient a 75 g dose of glucose beverage, noting time of ingestion (patient must drink entire beverage within 5 minutes).

3. Draw specimens at 2-hours post ingestion of glucose beverage.

4. Label specimens with times of draw.

5. Send specimens in original tubes.

6. If there is a delay in transport of >1 hour, centrifuge tubes.