The Specific Additive: Lithium Heparin for Accurate Blood Collection and Test Results

Summary

  • Light green tubes are commonly used for blood collection in medical labs and phlebotomy in the United States.
  • The specific additive found in light green tubes is lithium Heparin.
  • Lithium Heparin helps prevent blood clotting by inhibiting thrombin formation, making it an essential component for accurate Test Results.

Introduction

When patients visit a hospital or clinical lab for blood work, they may notice that different colored tubes are used for blood collection. Each color represents a specific additive that helps preserve the blood sample and ensure accurate Test Results. One of the commonly used tubes in the United States is the light green tube, which contains a specific additive that plays a crucial role in the blood collection process. In this blog post, we will explore the specific additive found in light green tubes used for blood collection in medical labs and phlebotomy in the United States.

What is a Light Green Tube?

A light green tube, also known as a PST tube (plasma separator tube), is designed for the collection of plasma for various laboratory tests. These tubes typically contain a gel separator and an Anticoagulant additive that helps prevent blood clotting during the collection process. The additive found in light green tubes is essential for ensuring accurate Test Results and reliable diagnostics.

The Specific Additive: Lithium Heparin

The specific additive found in light green tubes used for blood collection in the United States is lithium Heparin. Heparin is a common Anticoagulant that works by inhibiting thrombin formation, thus preventing blood from clotting in the tube. Lithium Heparin is the preferred form of Heparin for blood collection tubes due to its stable and reliable performance.

How Does Lithium Heparin Work?

When a blood sample is collected in a light green tube containing lithium Heparin, the Heparin binds to antithrombin III in the blood, inhibiting the activity of thrombin and other blood clotting factors. This prevents the blood from clotting in the tube, allowing for the collection of a clear plasma sample for testing.

Benefits of Using Lithium Heparin

There are several benefits to using lithium Heparin in blood collection tubes, including:

  1. Preventing blood clotting: Lithium Heparin effectively prevents blood from clotting in the tube, ensuring that the collected sample is suitable for a wide range of tests.
  2. Stable performance: Lithium Heparin is known for its stable and reliable performance, making it a preferred Anticoagulant for blood collection tubes.
  3. Compatibility with various tests: The use of lithium Heparin in light green tubes allows for the collection of plasma samples that can be used for a variety of laboratory tests, providing accurate and dependable results.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the specific additive found in light green tubes used for blood collection in medical labs and phlebotomy in the United States is lithium Heparin. This Anticoagulant plays a crucial role in preventing blood clotting during the collection process, ensuring that the collected sample is suitable for a wide range of laboratory tests. Lithium Heparin's stable performance and compatibility with various tests make it an essential component for accurate diagnostics and reliable Test Results in the healthcare industry.

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