The proper collection and handling of a blood sample for zinc levels can help prevent errors that can result in misdiagnosis of a patient with abnormal zinc stores. Incorrect specimen collection or handling usually involves zinc contamination masking a borderline deficiency state.
Recommendation
Reason
zinc free vacuum tubes
zinc contamination
stainless steel needles
zinc contamination
zinc free anticoagulants
zinc contamination
avoid contact with rubber stoppers
zinc contamination
avoid hemolysis
release of zinc from within RBCs
separate the plasma or serum from red blood cells within 45 minutes of collection
delayed separation results in increased plasma or serum levels due to leakage from intraerythrocytic stores
use a morning fasting specimen
minimizes diurnal variation
avoid specimens collected during an acute phase reactions (infection, injury, etc.)
fluctuations in serum or plasma levels
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