Hemoglobin (Hb)
Use
Evaluate anemia, blood loss, hydration or suspected polycythemic condition, and response to treatment
Special Instructions
The test requires careful handling of the blood specimen, ensuring the correct tube fill and immediate inversion of the tube after collection. Laboratory does the correction of interferences from lipemic plasma or high white cell counts by a special method, if necessary.
Limitations
The presence of hyperlipemic plasma or a high white blood cell count (greater than 50,000/mm³) can falsely elevate the hemoglobin result and affect the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). Hemolysis, insufficient sample volume, clotted specimens, and improper labeling are common reasons for test rejection. Specimens must be collected in EDTA tubes; use of other anticoagulants can lead to sample rejection.
Methodology
Automated Analyzer (Hematology)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 718-7
- 718-7
Result Turnaround Time
1 day
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Whole Blood
Volume
Tube fill capacity
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Container
Lavender-top (EDTA) tube
Collection Instructions
Invert tube 8 to 10 times immediately after tube is filled at the time of collection.
Storage Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature.
Causes for Rejection
Hemolysis; clotted specimen; tube not filled with minimum volume; improper labeling; transport tubes with whole blood; specimen received with plasma removed; specimen diluted or contaminated with IV fluid; specimen drawn in any anticoagulant other than EDTA
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 1 day |
| Refrigerated | 3 days |
| Frozen | Unstable |