Which color top is used for toxicology testing with EDTA (toxicology)?

Which color top is used for toxicology testing with EDTA (toxicology)?

• A. Gray
• B. Green
• C. Lavender
• D. Royal Blue

Answer: (D)

In phlebotomy, tube color signals the additive inside and the tests it’s designed for. For toxicology testing that uses EDTA, the royal blue top is the one to use because these tubes are specifically made to be free of trace-element contamination and to contain EDTA as the anticoagulant. That EDTA preserves the sample and prevents coagulation, which is crucial for accurate toxicology and metal analyses. Lavender tubes also contain EDTA, but they’re intended mainly for hematology tests like the CBC, not for toxicology. Green tops use heparin, and gray tops are for glucose testing with fluoride/oxalate. So the royal blue top is the best match for EDTA-based toxicology testing.

In phlebotomy, tube color signals the additive inside and the tests it’s designed for. For toxicology testing that uses EDTA, the royal blue top is the one to use because these tubes are specifically made to be free of trace-element contamination and to contain EDTA as the anticoagulant. That EDTA preserves the sample and prevents coagulation, which is crucial for accurate toxicology and metal analyses. Lavender tubes also contain EDTA, but they’re intended mainly for hematology tests like the CBC, not for toxicology. Green tops use heparin, and gray tops are for glucose testing with fluoride/oxalate. So the royal blue top is the best match for EDTA-based toxicology testing.