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How to Choose the Right Blood Collection Tube for Different Medical Tests

How to Choose the Right Blood Collection Tube for Different Medical Tests

Accurate test results depend first on the choice of blood collection tube. Several types of blood collection tubes may be employed, each designed to preserve blood in a specific manner, depending on the ultimate tests to be performed.

K3 EDTA – Ideal for Hematology Tests

K3 EDTA tubes are the most usable in hematology tests, such as blood cell count and blood typing. The K3 in the name refers to the type of EDTA abbreviation for Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, an anticoagulant. EDTA prevents blood from clotting by binding calcium ions, which are essential in the clotting process. The tubes are, therefore, commonly needed in many tests involving the complete blood count test, hemoglobin, or blood smear since the tube preserves the shape and form of blood cells very well.

K2 EDTA – Suitable for Blood Banking and Hematology Tests

Basically, K2 EDTA tubes consist of an anticoagulant, which keeps blood from clotting for the sample, just like most of the other EDTA tubes such as K3 EDTA. The only apparent difference is in the varied concentrations of EDTA. This tube is currently used interchangeably in blood banking in tests that require whole blood integrity for hematology. Given this aspect, K2 Ethylene Diamine Tetra-Acetic Acid-anticoagulated collected blood specimen is very much feasible to apply for blood tests requiring their analysis of intact blood cellular elements, such as certain tests in transfusion medicine dealing with blood typing or blood crossmatching.

Clot Activator – Used for Serum Collection

Clot activator tubes are utilized when the required goal is the separation of serum from the blood, post-clotting of the sample. These contain a material that promotes clotting- most often by introducing some inert activator that encourages the blood to clot more quickly. Following centrifugation, the serum is separated from the clot and is best for tests that require serum instead of plasma. Common examples of tests that require clot activator tubes include hormone assays, liver function tests, and thyroid tests.

Conclusion

Knowing the right tube for each test ensures the most accurate results possible, which again constitutes the very base for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Zances is the best Blood tube collection manufacturer in Silvassa. Always consult with a healthcare professional to choose an appropriate blood collection tube that matches the medical tests one will be conducting.

Zances Medical Technology