LymeNet Flash: Blood collection question

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Blood collection question

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Author

Topic: Blood collection question

Lenny777
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 5452

posted

I'm having problems getting a lab to draw my blood for Igenex. They all say, ``We are a contract lab and can't do outside work.''
My doctor said they can draw the blood, but I'm worried. It says in the sample collection directions:

"Collect in Red Top Tube, separate, and send in clear tube.
Store in Refrigerator.
Ship within 4 days of collection. Ship at Room Temperature.
or
Collect in SST Tube and spin.
Store in Refrigerator.
Ship within 4 days of collection. Ship at Room Temperature"

When it says ``collect in red top tube, separate.''. What does separate mean? I wonder if my PCP will have the equipment to do what is necessary.

I guess my question is, does it need to be a Lab or can a doctor just draw the blood give it to me and I ship it? Or does something have to be done to it, like spin it or whatever?
Is this making any sense? My Doctor isn't familiar with the whole Igenex thing, but he willing to sign off on it and draw my blood.
If anyone had blood drawn in the Dallas area and shipped to Igenex could you let me know what lab it was.

Posts: 635 | From Texas | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged |

V. Owens
Member
Member # 5380

posted

Lenny777

Good lord man, I just told the same story
over in general.

They where even changing my paperwork, going
to send it to mayo, and I had every thing
done & set to go, AND ME PAYING CASH no
respect.

A nures friend told us to call the lab at the hospital, we did AND

walk in with Md. order for blood work & kit
we will draw blood, spin and send

we did, they did, and it even worked, CALL
THE LAB at your hospital it worked for us.

good luck friend.

A sparkle in your eye, a smile on your face,
down the road.

Steve & Vic

PS. go first part of week send same day,
no need to store, Key word ship @ room temp.

[This message has been edited by V. Owens (edited 29 April 2004).]

Posts: 81 | From Alpena, MI., USA | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged |

k-lyme
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 5574

posted

Lenny,
THE LAB is a lab that does what is called courtesy draws. Go to them and they'll take care of the rest. Oh yeah, look them up in the phone book to find the nearest one to you!

Posts: 227 | From CA | Registered: Apr 2004 | IP: Logged |

Lishs mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2344

posted

Most contract labs WILL draw blood for a fee. If they wont, and your doctor office offers to do it, then they probably have a centrifuge, which is what is necessary to spin and separate the blood.
The SST tube is normal part of any lab setup. SST - serum separator tube . It usually is a red or maroon top tube, with some off white waxy clump thing in the middle of it. When the blood spins down, the platlettes (which are heavier than the waxy clump in the middle) will go down to the bottom under the waxy clump, Leaving the serum up above. The serum is then poured off into another tube or shipped as is, at room temperature.
Im sure you will find a lab somewhere (doctors office, hospital or outpatient lab) that will comply with your request.

Posts: 1918 | From Central, Oregon | Registered: Apr 2002 | IP: Logged |

Lenny777
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 5452

posted

Thanks for the help.

k-lyme,
I looked up THE LAB and I couldn't find anything. Maybe we don't have them here in Tejas.?

Posts: 635 | From Texas | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged |

Lenny777
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 5452

posted

On the suggestions I received here, I asked a friend who works at a local hospital to check it out for me and I'm gonna have it done at the hospital.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Posts: 635 | From Texas | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged |

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