title: Stability of blood analytes after storage in BD SST tubes for 12 mo.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Enterprise Advisory Services, Inc., Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Grace
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: Sara R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Zwart
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D001769:Blood; D006801:Humans; D012016:Reference Values; D013048:Specimen Handling