Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Serum

Container/Tube: Plain, red-top tube or serum gel tube

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Fasting.

2. Protect specimen from light.

3. Hemolyzed specimen is not acceptable.

Precautions: Do not order on patients who have recently received methotrexate or other folic acid antagonist.

Stability:  2 hours at 20-25 degree C (A)

                 2 days at  2-8 degree C (R)

                 4 weeks at <-20 degree C- feeze only once (F)

Store samples at 2-8 degree C if they cannot be measured

immediately after processing specimen.