What Are Blood Test Tubes?

You may have heard of Vacuum blood collection tubes, which are widely used today and many of us give blood for various tests at least once. These tubes with different universal color codes serve many different purposes and have become indispensable especially in Laboratories. So how many different types of these tubes are there? Or have you ever thought about what exactly they do?

Purposes of Use According to Tube Colors:
Red capped tubes: They are used to coagulate blood and to obtain serum by centrifugation.
Generally; They are used for Hormone, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Cross Match analysis.

Tubes with yellow caps: Thanks to its special gel formulation, it separates serum from blood and provides serum.
Generally; It is used for hormone, biochemistry and microbiology analysis.

Green capped tubes: It is used to obtain plasma by separating blood and plasma thanks to lithium heparin.
Generally; It is used in biochemistry laboratories.

Purple capped tubes: These tubes containing K2 or K3 EDTA are used in Hematology (CBC) and Cross Match analysis. The tube should be turned upside down to prevent coagulation after blood collection.

Blue capped tubes: These are tubes containing Sodium Citrate. It is used for coagulation tests (prothrombin time).

Dark blue capped tubes: This tube containing sodium EDTA is manufactured to contain no metals that may cause contamination. It is generally used for Trace element testing (copper, mercury, lead, zinc) and toxicology tests.

Tubes with light gray caps: Tubes containing sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate protect glucose for up to 5 days thanks to antiglycolide agents. They are used for glucose tests.

Orange capped tubes: This tube, which contains thrombin, allows the blood to clot quickly.
Generally; It is used when urgent serum chemicals are needed.