Test specimens as soon as possible after collecting. If not tested immediately, store specimens at2-8°C for up to 5 days. For longer storage, specimens should be kept frozen at -20°C.
Avoid multiple freeze-thaw cycles. Prior to testing, bring frozen specimens to room temperatureslowly and mix gently. Specimens containing visible particulate matter should be clarified bycentrifugation before testing. Do not use samples demonstrating gross lipemia, gross hemolysisor turbidity in order to avoid interference on result interpretation.