Plastic versus Glass Tubes: Effects on Analytical Performance of Selected Serum and Plasma Hormone Assays

Comparison of Bayer Advia Centaur® immunoassay results obtained on samples collected in four different Becton Dickinson Vacutainer® tubes

“…We had no information on the source of interference at the time of our study, and there was no suggestion that immunoassay results obtained by the use of the plain plastic tubes may be di¡erent from those obtained using plain glass tubes. 14,16,17 Old SST-II tubes…”

Effects of Blood Collection Tubes, including Pediatric Devices, on 16 Common Immunoassays

“…FT 3 , FT 4 , T 3 , T 4 , and PTH displayed differences exceeding the performance requirements for at least 1 tube type (Table 1). For FT 3 and FT 4 , tubes with gel separator gave unacceptable differences, whereas heparin seemed to be the cause for T 3 , T 4 , and PTH (T 3 displayed a borderline difference for the gold-top Vacutainer). In comparison, the package inserts for the Immulite 2000 assays indicate that heparin samples are not recommended for FT 3 and FT 4 , heparinized samples give slightly higher results for T 3 than serum, whereas tubes with gel separator give slightly higher results for T 3 and T 4 in serum.…”

“…The effects of different blood collection tubes on hormones and tumor markers, clinical chemistry, and therapeutic drug monitoring have been studied (1)(2)(3)(4), and only serum triiodothyronine (T 3 ) was found to be significantly affected by the types of blood collection tubes (4 ). One of the interferents for immunoassays has been identified as an organosilicone surfactant (5 ).…”

“…The CV I and CV G data were available for 12 analytes, and we made assumptions on the bias requirements for FT 3 , GH, IGF1, and PTH. We used the FT 4 requirement for FT 3 and 10% for the other 3.…”

“…The CV I and CV G data were available for 12 analytes, and we made assumptions on the bias requirements for FT 3 , GH, IGF1, and PTH. We used the FT 4 requirement for FT 3 and 10% for the other 3. FT 3 , FT 4 , T 3 , T 4 , and PTH displayed differences exceeding the performance requirements for at least 1 tube type (Table 1).…”