How long should serum specimens ideally be sent to the lab?

The ideal time frame for sending serum specimens to the laboratory is within 2 hours. This duration is critical because it helps ensure the integrity and stability of the specimen, which is vital for accurate testing results.

After blood is drawn and allowed to clot, serum can begin to change due to metabolic processes, presence of bacteria, and other factors that can alter its composition. Waiting longer than 2 hours can lead to degradation of certain analytes or the release of substances into the serum that can affect laboratory values, such as enzymes or hormones.

Thus, timely transport within 2 hours minimizes the risk of these changes, ensuring that the results of laboratory tests reflect the patient’s current physiological state as accurately as possible.