Hi Mandy,

It would seem to me that the main reason for using a trace element tube is because BD actively monitor the levels of trace elements present in each batch before release and certify that, for zinc, no more than 40 μg/L will be present. 
A standard SST tube is not monitored for the levels of trace elements in each batch so unless you were prepared to send an additional tube, from the same batch as used for the patient sample, for use as a blank then it would seem sensible to use a trace element tube to minimise pre-analytical errors.

Regards,
Gavin Murdock

On Tue, 14 Aug 2018 at 16:18, PERRY, Mandy (ROYAL DEVON AND EXETER NHS FOUNDATION TRUST) <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Dear mailbase

 

For zinc analysis, some laboratories insist on trace element free tubes, whereas other labs will accept serum from gel separator tubes.

 

Does anyone know of any data to demonstrate the requirement for use of trace element free tubes for zinc analysis, rather than serum gel tubes? Or any data to that shows that serum gel tubes give accurate zinc results?

 

I appreciate that it is widely reported that gel can cause falsely raised zinc results, but I am struggling to find any up to date data to support, or negate this.

 

With many thanks

Mandy

 

 

Mandy Perry, PhD FRCPath

Clinical Scientist, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust

 

***Please note, my working days are Mon, Tue, Thurs and Fri***

 

Blood Sciences, Template A2,

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital

Barrack Road, Exeter, UK, EX2 5DW

t: +44 (0)1392 402948

e: [log in to unmask]

Website: www.exeterlaboratory.com

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