Yellow top vacutainer tubes are used for a wide range tests requiring separated serum for analysis, including biochemistry, endocrinology, oncology, toxicology, microbiology and immunology.
This tube is known in the lab as the SST (serum separating tube). It contains two agents; silica particles and a serum separating gel. The silica particles work to activate clotting and cause the blood cells to clump together. The serum separator consists of an inert polymer gel which floats as a layer between the blood cells and plasma to form a physical barrier between them. The sample can be centrifuged (spun) in the lab, and the separated serum easily removed.
Tests
Biochemistry tests are the ones you will encounter most commonly:
Urea and electrolytes (U&Es): this includes urea, creatinine, sodium and potassium.
C-reactive protein (CRP)
Liver function tests(LFTs): this includes bilirubin, ALP, AST/ALT, GGT, total protein and albumin.
Amylase assay
Bone profile: this includes calcium, phosphate, ALP and albumin.
Magnesium assay
Iron studies: this includes serum iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation and total iron-binding capacity.
Lipid profile: this includes cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides.
Thyroid function tests (TFTs): this includes TSH, free T4 and sometimes free T3.
Vitamins: including vitamin B12.
Troponins: this requires 2 samples to be taken at different times to assess the acute trend.
Creatine kinase (CK)
Urate
Serum osmolality: this requires a urine sample to be taken at the same time.
Endocrinology tests that can be performed using a yellow top vacutainer tube include:
Beta-hCG
Calcitonin*
Cortisol
EPO
Sex hormones
Growth hormone
IGF-1
Tumour marker tests that can be performed using a yellow top vacutainer tube include:
PSA
CEA
CA-125
CA19-9
AFP
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
Toxicology tests that can be performed using a yellow top vacutainer tube include:
Ethanol
Cannabis
Opiates
Benzodiazepines
Other drugs (e.g. cocaine, amphetamines)
Drug level tests that can be performed using a yellow top vacutainer tube include:
Paracetamol
Salicylates (aspirin)
Digoxin
Lithium
Gentamicin
Carbamazepine
Microbiology/virology tests
The yellow blood bottle can test for various bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections, including HIV and viral hepatitis.
Immunology tests that can be performed using a yellow top vacutainer tube include:
Immunoglobulin levels
Complement levels
Autoantibody screen
Rheumatoid factor
Thyroid antibodies
α1AT
ACE
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