What is the white stuff at the bottom of a blood vial?
Table of Contents
What is the white stuff at the bottom of a blood vial?
Usually you will see a powder substance at the bottom of each vial. It is an anti-coagulant to prevent the blood clotting. Clotting will affect the results of blood tests, so this substance is added to prevent that from happening.
What is the yellow stuff at the bottom of blood vials?
When a tube is centrifuged, the materials within are separated by density, with the blood cells sinking to the bottom and the plasma or serum accumulating at the top….Types of tubes.
| Tube cap color or type | Additive | Usage and comments |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Acid-citrate-dextrose A (anticoagulant) | Tissue typing, DNA studies, HIV cultures |
Why is there gel in blood tubes?
Blood sample tubes that contain a separating gel are often used to obtain blood serum for laboratory tests. The gel then serves as a barrier to diffusion, preventing contamination of the serum with cellular components.
What is the liquid in a blood test tube?
Plasma. Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood obtained after centrifuging specimens collected in tubes containing an anticoagulant.
What blood tube colors are for which test?
The tests each bottle is used for are the same: the purple one is for cell count, the yellow one is for electrolytes, albumin and LDH, the grey one is for glucose, and blood culture bottles can be used for fluid cultures.
Why is there white stuff in my blood?
White blood cells and platelets may clump together to form a cellular aggregate. They may appear white or opaque and do not disperse when the container is rotated or shaken. Visible white particles composed of lipid or fat material may also appear in blood samples in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
What do the colored blood vials mean?
Each color relates to unique additives that are in the tube. Red: Contain NO anticoagulants, used for serum testing. Gold: Contains a clot activator and special gel to separate serum from the cells. Purple: Contains a clot blocker and are used for complete blood count(CBC). Green & Light Blue: Used for plasma testing.
What are yellow stopper tubes used for?
PHLEBOTOMY SERVICES
| STOPPER COLOR | CONTENTS | USES/COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|
| Green | Sodium heparin(100 USP Units) | Ammonia, Lactate, HLA Typing |
| Tan | K2 EDTA | Lead levels |
| Yellow | ACD Solution A consists of trisodium citrate, citric acid and dextrose | DNA Studies, HIV Cultures |
| Pink | (K2)EDTA | Blood type & Screen, Compatibility Study, Direct Coombs HIV Viral Load |
What color is a gel tube?
Blood Collection Tubes
| Tube cap color | Additive |
|---|---|
| Red or gold (mottled or “tiger” top used with some tubes) | Serum tube with or without clot activator or gel |
| Green | Sodium or lithium heparin with or without gel |
| Lavender or pink | Potassium EDTA |
| Gray | Sodium fluoride, and sodium or potassium oxalate |
What color is a serum separator tube?
PHLEBOTOMY SERVICES
| STOPPER COLOR | CONTENTS | VOL. |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Top (Serum Separator, “SST”) | Contains separating gel and clot activator | 6.0 mL |
| Light Blue – Yellow Label on Tube | Thrombin | 2.0 mL |
| Green | Sodium heparin(100 USP Units) | 5.0 mL |
| Tan | K2 EDTA | 5.0 mL |
What color tubes are used for which tests in phlebotomy?