Standard Tube Colors for Different Types of Blood Tests in the United States: Red, Lavender, Light Blue, Green, Grey, and Yellow

Written By Lauren Davis, BS, CPT

Summary

  • Each type of blood test in a medical laboratory in the United States requires a specific color of tube for the collection of blood samples.
  • The standard tube colors used for different types of blood tests include red, lavender, light blue, green, grey, and yellow.
  • Proper identification and use of these tube colors are crucial for accurate and reliable Test Results in clinical labs and hospitals.

Introduction

Medical laboratories play a crucial role in the healthcare system by providing essential information for diagnosis and treatment of patients. One of the key aspects of laboratory testing is the collection of blood samples using different colored tubes. Each tube color corresponds to a specific additive or Anticoagulant that is necessary for accurate Test Results. In this article, we will discuss the standard tube colors used for different types of blood tests in a medical laboratory in the United States.

Red Tube

The red tube is one of the most commonly used tubes in clinical laboratories. It contains no Anticoagulant and is used for collecting blood samples for serum tests.

Tests That Require a Red Tube:

  1. Chemistry panels
  2. Liver function tests
  3. Lipid profiles

Lavender Tube

The lavender tube contains the Anticoagulant EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and is used for collecting whole blood samples for hematological tests.

Tests That Require a Lavender Tube:

  1. Complete blood count (CBC)
  2. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
  3. Hemoglobin A1C

Light Blue Tube

The light blue tube contains the Anticoagulant Sodium Citrate and is used for collecting blood samples for coagulation tests.

Tests That Require a Light Blue Tube:

  1. Prothrombin Time (PT)
  2. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT)
  3. D-dimer

Green Tube

The green tube contains the Anticoagulant Heparin and is used for collecting blood samples for various chemistry tests.

Tests That Require a Green Tube:

  1. Basic metabolic panel
  2. Comprehensive metabolic panel
  3. Arterial blood gas (ABG)

Grey Tube

The grey tube contains the Anticoagulant Potassium Oxalate and Sodium Fluoride and is used for collecting blood samples for glucose testing.

Tests That Require a Grey Tube:

  1. Glucose
  2. Lactate
  3. Alcohol levels

Yellow Tube

The yellow tube contains the Anticoagulant acid citrate dextrose (ACD) and is used for collecting blood samples for DNA and Genetic Testing.

Tests That Require a Yellow Tube:

  1. Genetic Testing
  2. DNA analysis
  3. Hematopoietic progenitor cell processing

Conclusion

Proper identification and use of the standard tube colors for different types of blood tests are essential for ensuring accurate and reliable Test Results in clinical laboratories and hospitals in the United States. Healthcare professionals must be knowledgeable about the specific tube colors required for each type of test to avoid errors in sample collection and processing. By following the established protocols for tube color selection, Healthcare Providers can improve patient care and contribute to the overall quality of healthcare delivery.

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Lauren Davis, BS, CPT

Lauren Davis is a certified phlebotomist with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from the University of Miami. With 5 years of hands-on experience in both hospital and mobile phlebotomy settings, Lauren has developed a passion for ensuring the safety and comfort of patients during blood draws. She has extensive experience in pediatric, geriatric, and inpatient phlebotomy, and is committed to advancing the practices of blood collection to improve both accuracy and patient satisfaction.

Lauren enjoys writing about the latest phlebotomy techniques, patient communication, and the importance of adhering to best practices in laboratory safety. She is also an advocate for continuing education in the field and frequently conducts workshops to help other phlebotomists stay updated with industry standards.

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