Patient preparation: Patient should refrain from taking vitamins, mineral and herbal supplements at least 1 week prior to specimen collection.
Draw one dark blue no additive tube and discard. Draw second dark blue no additive tube, allow to clot in an upright position. Spin and send 2.0 mL serum (1.0 mL minimum) refrigerated in white capped trace metal free plastic screw-capped vial.
Tests performed on a specimen submitted in a nontrace element tube or nonacid-washed/nonmetal-free container may not accurately reflect the patients level. If a nontrace element tube/container is received, it will be accepted for testing; however, elevated results are reported with the message that resubmission with a trace element tube/container is recommended.