Glucose, Blood (Blood Gas)

Tube Type = 3cc Syringe

Tube Type

Test ID   LAB5305
EPIC Order
   GLUCOSE, WHOLE BLOOD
CPT Code(s)   82947
Group/Individual Test   Individual
Laboratory   Core Laboratory-Blood Gas
Tube Station   31
Specimen Routine: 1 mL whole blood in 3cc syringe w/ lyophilized heparin in BG Kit, SafePICO Collection Kit, or Green Heparin – NO GEL. See Comments
Micro: 0.5 mL whole blood in 1cc syringe w/ lyophilized heparin in BG Kit or full heparinized capillary tube. See Comments
Stability  

Room Temp/Refrigerated: 30 minutes

Frozen: NO
Availability Routine: 24 hr/day
STAT: YES
Turnaround Time 10 minutes
Reference Range Normal: 70-179 mg/dL
Critical: <54 or >400 mg/dL
<54 or >500 mg/dL (Emergency Department)
Comment
  • Green Sodium Heparin tubes are NOT acceptable and will be rejected.
  • Deliver Immediately to Blood Gas lab. The time between specimen collection and analysis should not exceed 30 minutes.
  • Syringes with needles attached will NOT be accepted.
  • Blood Gas syringes may be obtained from Central Distribution.
  • Heparinized capillary samples can be analyzed if at least 200 µL of clot-free blood is present.
  • Do not separate or freeze whole blood. 

Reviewed by J. Carr on January 15, 2026

UNC Hospitals
McLendon Clinical Laboratories
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514