Specimen Type/Requirements

Light green tube W/ gel Lithium Heparin - Plasma

Draw blood into a lithium heparin tube.  Invert sample 5-10 times and let sit for 15 minutes.  Centrifuge sample within 1 hour of collection.  Transfer plasma into a transport/pour off plastic tube.  Freeze plasma. 

Patient Preparation:

Do not collect specimens:

 - Within 72 hours after prostate manipulation, including DRE. 

 - Within 2 weeks after UTI and/or prostatitis.

 - Within 30 days after prostate surgery including prostate biopsy, urinary catheterization, prostate infarction, or endoscopic evaluation; or other urinary tract malignancy after a transrectal biopsy. 

Note:  Only collect from male patients ≥ 50 years of age with an established total PSA level of ≥ 4 ng/mL.

Test is affected by gross hemolysis.