Understanding Gold Top vs Red Top Tubes in Medical Laboratories: Additives and Impact on Blood Sample Testing
Summary
- Gold Top and Red Top tubes are commonly used in medical laboratories in the United States for blood sample collection.
- The additives in these tubes help preserve the integrity of the blood sample and ensure accurate Test Results.
- Understanding the specific additives in each tube is crucial for healthcare professionals to interpret Test Results correctly.
Introduction
When it comes to collecting blood samples for testing in a medical laboratory, healthcare professionals often use different types of tubes to preserve the samples and ensure accurate results. Two commonly used tubes are the Gold Top tube and the Red Top tube. These tubes contain specific additives that play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the blood sample and providing reliable Test Results. In this article, we will explore the specific additives in a Gold Top vs Red Top tube and how they affect blood samples collected for testing in a medical laboratory in the United States.
Gold Top Tube
The Gold Top tube, also known as a serum separator tube (SST), contains a gel that separates the serum from the blood cells after the sample has been centrifuged. The gel in the tube consists of thixotropic gel and Clot Activator, which work together to facilitate the separation of serum from the blood cells.
Specific Additives in a Gold Top Tube
- Thixotropic gel: This gel is made of silica particles that form a barrier between the serum and the blood cells. When the tube is centrifuged, the gel moves to the top of the sample, trapping the serum above it and allowing the blood cells to settle at the bottom.
- Clot Activator: The Clot Activator in the Gold Top tube initiates the coagulation process, causing the blood to clot. This clot is essential for separating the serum from the blood cells during centrifugation.
Impact on Blood Sample Testing
The additives in the Gold Top tube play a significant role in preserving the integrity of the blood sample and ensuring accurate Test Results. The thixotropic gel helps separate the serum from the blood cells, preventing contamination and ensuring that the serum is free of any cellular debris. The Clot Activator promotes clotting, which is essential for proper serum separation and analysis in the laboratory.
Red Top Tube
The Red Top tube, also known as a serum tube, does not contain a gel separator like the Gold Top tube. Instead, it contains a Clot Activator that promotes the clotting of blood after sample collection.
Specific Additives in a Red Top Tube
- Clot Activator: The Red Top tube contains a Clot Activator, which initiates the coagulation process and causes the blood to clot. This clotting process helps separate the serum from the blood cells during centrifugation.
Impact on Blood Sample Testing
Although the Red Top tube does not contain a gel separator like the Gold Top tube, the Clot Activator in the tube still plays a crucial role in preserving the integrity of the blood sample. The clotting process facilitated by the Clot Activator helps separate the serum from the blood cells, allowing for accurate testing in the laboratory.
Conclusion
Gold Top and Red Top tubes are essential tools used in medical laboratories in the United States for blood sample collection. The specific additives in these tubes, such as thixotropic gel and Clot Activator, play a significant role in maintaining the integrity of the blood sample and ensuring accurate Test Results. Healthcare professionals must understand the additives in each tube to interpret Test Results correctly and provide quality patient care.
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