Which color top is used for glucose testing with fluoride/oxalate?

Which color top is used for glucose testing with fluoride/oxalate?

• A. Gold
• B. Lavender
• C. Gray
• D. Green

Answer: (C)

The main idea is preserving glucose in a blood sample. Gray-top tubes contain sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate. Sodium fluoride acts as a glycolysis inhibitor, stopping cells from using glucose after collection, while potassium oxalate prevents the blood from clotting. This combination yields an accurate measurement of plasma glucose. Other tube colors use different additives (green with heparin, lavender with EDTA, gold with clot activator and gel) and do not contain the glycolysis inhibitor, so they’re less ideal for precise glucose testing. That’s why gray is the correct choice for glucose testing with fluoride/oxalate.

The main idea is preserving glucose in a blood sample. Gray-top tubes contain sodium fluoride and potassium oxalate. Sodium fluoride acts as a glycolysis inhibitor, stopping cells from using glucose after collection, while potassium oxalate prevents the blood from clotting. This combination yields an accurate measurement of plasma glucose. Other tube colors use different additives (green with heparin, lavender with EDTA, gold with clot activator and gel) and do not contain the glycolysis inhibitor, so they’re less ideal for precise glucose testing. That’s why gray is the correct choice for glucose testing with fluoride/oxalate.