Purpose Of Blood Tube Colors

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Apr 5

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When you go to get your blood drawn at a medical facility, you may notice that the tubes used to collect your blood come in a variety of colors. Have you ever wondered why this is? Each color actually represents a specific type of blood tube that is used for different purposes. In this article, we will explore the purpose of blood tube colors and why they are so important in the medical field.

Red Blood Tubes

One of the most common blood tube colors is red. These tubes typically contain no additives and are used for collecting blood samples for routine tests such as blood counts and cholesterol levels. The lack of additives helps prevent the blood from clotting, which can affect the accuracy of test results.

Blue Blood Tubes

Blue blood tubes are used for tests that require the blood to be collected in a tube containing an anticoagulant, such as sodium citrate. This additive prevents the blood from clotting by binding to calcium, which is necessary for clot formation. Blue tubes are commonly used for coagulation studies, such as measuring the levels of clotting factors in the blood.

Green Blood Tubes

Green blood tubes contain heparin, an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting the action of thrombin. These tubes are used for tests that require plasma rather than serum, as heparin prevents the blood from clotting by interfering with the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. Green tubes are commonly used for tests such as ammonia levels and plasma electrophoresis.

Purple Blood Tubes

Purple blood tubes contain EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), an anticoagulant that works by binding to calcium ions in the blood. EDTA is commonly used for tests that require whole blood to be collected, such as complete blood counts and blood smears. Purple tubes are also used for blood banking and DNA testing.

Gray Blood Tubes

Gray blood tubes contain a mixture of sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate, which work together as anticoagulants and preservatives. These tubes are used for tests that require blood glucose levels to be measured, as the anticoagulants help preserve the blood sample while the preservatives prevent the breakdown of glucose in the blood.

Yellow Blood Tubes

Yellow blood tubes are used for tests that require the blood to be collected in a tube containing an additive called acid citrate dextrose (ACD). This additive prevents the blood from clotting by binding to calcium ions, similar to the anticoagulant in blue tubes. Yellow tubes are commonly used for blood cultures and specialty tests such as DNA testing for paternity.

Summary

Understanding the purpose of blood tube colors is essential in the medical field to ensure accurate test results and proper patient care. By using the appropriate color-coded tubes for specific tests, healthcare professionals can prevent issues such as blood clotting and sample contamination. Next time you visit a medical facility for blood work, pay attention to the color of the tubes being used – it may give you insight into the tests being performed and the importance of proper sample collection.

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