Within what time should serum or plasma be separated from cells for routine chemistry testing?

Giải thích

Serum or plasma should be physically separated from the cells within two hours of collection, because continued cellular metabolism lowers glucose and raises potassium, LDH and phosphorus. Holding the tube for 8 or 24 hours before separation produces clinically misleading results. Refrigerating an unseparated tube actually accelerates potassium leakage from red cells.