3 ML WHOLE BLOOD IN 1 BLUE TOP (SODIUM CITRATE) TUBE. MIX THOROUGHLY BY INVERSION. TRANSPORT TO LAB WITHIN 4 HOURS. IF THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, MAKE PPP WITHIN 1 HOUR OF COLLECTION AS FOLLOWS: CENTRIFUGE SAMPLE AT 3600 RPM FOR 15 MIN. & TRANSFER SUPERNATANT TO A CLEAN PLASTIC TUBE. CENTRIFUGE THIS SUPERNATANT AGAIN AT 3600 RPM FOR 15 MIN. & FINALLY TRANSFER THE SUPERNATANT (PPP) TO 1 LABELLED CLEAN PLASTIC SCREW CAPPED VIAL. FREEZE IMMEDIATELY. SHIP FROZEN. DO NOT THAW AND 5 ML (3 ML MIN.) WHOLE BLOOD IN 2 LAVENDER TOP (EDTA) TUBES. SHIP REFRIGERATED. DO NOT FREEZE. OVERNIGHT FASTING IS PREFERRED. DULY FILLED . IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PATIENT DISCONTINUES HEPARIN FOR 1 DAY AND ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS FOR 7 DAYS PRIOR TO SAMPLING AS THESE DRUGS MAY AFFECT TEST RESULTS. DISCONTINUATION SHOULD BE WITH PRIOR CONSENT FROM THE TREATING PHYSICIAN.