Stability of blood analytes after storage in BD SST tubes for 12 mo.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the stability of 33 analytes related to clinical chemistry, bone, and vitamin metabolism, after storage in serum separator tubes (SST).


METHODS
Blood was collected from 6 subjects using SST tubes. Some serum remained in the tube in contact with the barrier gel and was stored at -80 degrees C for 12 mo.


RESULTS
Clinically significant changes occurred only in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and retinol-binding protein.


CONCLUSIONS
Freezing SST tubes before sample analysis is a viable option for some analytes.
Mathew
Grace
G
Enterprise Advisory Services, Inc., Houston, TX, USA.
Zwart
Sara R
SR
Smith
Scott M
SM
D001769:Blood; D006801:Humans; D012016:Reference Values; D013048:Specimen Handling