Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation:

1. Patient should eat a regular diet (at least 150 g of carbohydrates or 1,500 calories) for at least 3 days prior to testing.
2. Advise patient to fast for at least 12 hours before test, and to avoid smoking or drinking coffee prior to and during test.
3. When possible, this test should be administered in the morning, and patient should be advised to remain calm and quiet for duration of test.

Blood glucose is drawn fasting:

1. Following an overnight fast (8-14 hours), a fasting glucose is drawn, and processed.

Note:  Contact Ridgeview Medical Center Laboratory at 952-442-2191 for special instructions on pediatric patients.

Specimen Type: Plasma or Serum

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Green-top (lithium heparin) gel tube following an overnight (12-14 hours) fast.

Acceptable: Plain, red-top tube or SST

Specimen Volume: 2 mL

Pediatric (minimum) volume: 0.5 mL