Understanding Chemistry Tube Colors: Common Tests and Procedures

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Summary

  • Chemistry tube colors indicate specific tests
  • Common tests include comprehensive metabolic panel and lipid panel
  • Understanding test procedures can help patients feel more informed

Introduction

When you visit a medical laboratory in the United States for a blood test, you may notice that the technician collects your blood sample in a tube of a specific color. These color-coded tubes are used to differentiate between the various types of tests that will be performed on your blood sample. In this article, we will explore the specific tests that are typically performed on blood samples collected in a chemistry tube of a certain color in a medical laboratory in the United States.

Understanding Chemistry Tube Colors

Chemistry tubes come in a variety of colors, each representing a different type of test that will be performed on the blood sample. The most common colors used in medical laboratories in the United States include:

Red Chemistry Tube

  1. One of the most common tube colors used in medical laboratories
  2. Typically used for serum testing
  3. Tests commonly performed on blood samples in red tubes include:
    1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
    2. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
    3. Liver Function Tests

Gold or Tiger Top Chemistry Tube

  1. Contains a Separator Gel that separates serum from other components of the blood
  2. Commonly used for tests that require serum
  3. Tests performed on blood samples collected in gold tubes include:
    1. Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)
    2. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
    3. Lipid Panel

Purple or Lavender Chemistry Tube

  1. Contains the Anticoagulant ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
  2. Prevents blood from clotting
  3. Tests commonly performed on blood samples in purple tubes include:
    1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
    2. Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)
    3. White Blood Cell Count (WBC)

Green Chemistry Tube

  1. Contains the Anticoagulant Heparin or lithium Heparin
  2. Prevents blood from clotting
  3. Tests usually performed on blood samples in green tubes include:
    1. Plasma Glucose
    2. Electrolyte Panel
    3. Arterial Blood Gases (ABG)

Common Tests Performed on Blood Samples

Understanding the tests that are typically performed on blood samples collected in color-coded chemistry tubes can help patients better comprehend their lab results and feel more informed about their healthcare. Some of the most common tests that are performed on blood samples in the United States include:

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) is a series of blood tests that provide information about a person's kidney and liver function, as well as their electrolyte and fluid balance. The panel typically includes the following tests:

  1. Glucose
  2. Calcium
  3. Sodium
  4. Potassium
  5. Chloride
  6. Bicarbonate
  7. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
  8. Creatinine
  9. Albumin
  10. Total Protein

Lipid Panel

A Lipid Panel is a series of blood tests that measures the levels of fats and cholesterol in the blood. The panel typically includes the following tests:

  1. Total Cholesterol
  2. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol
  3. High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol
  4. Triglycerides

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a series of tests that provides information about a person's overall health and can help diagnose a variety of conditions, including infections, anemia, and leukemia. The panel typically includes the following tests:

  1. White Blood Cell Count (WBC)
  2. Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)
  3. Hemoglobin
  4. Hematocrit
  5. Platelet Count

Conclusion

Having a blood test can be a routine part of healthcare, but understanding the tests that are being performed on your blood sample can help you feel more informed and empowered about your own health. By knowing which tests are typically done on blood samples collected in specific color-coded chemistry tubes in a medical laboratory in the United States, you can have a better understanding of your lab results and work with your healthcare provider to make informed decisions about your health and wellness.

a-female-phlebotomist-carefully-insert-the-blood-collection-needle

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