Pre-testing Requirements
Patient should be unstressed and resting.
Additional Specimen Information
The patient preferably should be fasting, at rest and supine. The skin must be cleaned before venipuncture (as lactate is measured in conjunction with pyruvate).
If a tourniquet is used it should be released at least 30 seconds prior to withdrawal of blood.
To a specially prepared pyruvate/lactate tube containing acid precipitant, add one mL venous blood (up to the mark on the tube) immediately after collection, recap and invert several times to ensure the complete sample is well mixed.
Do NOT place any additional labels on tube – it is pre-weighed.
Sample is stable at least a month at 3-12oC. For samples outside of Christchurch, check and record the weight of the tube before and after blood is added in case of leakage during transit.
