Lactate, Blood (Venous)

Tube Type = Green top syringe

Tube Type

Test ID LAB730
EPIC Order LACTATE, VENOUS, WHOLE BLOOD
CPT Code(s) 83605
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. See Comments
Stability  

Room Temp/Refrigerated: 30 minutes

Frozen: NO
Availability Routine: 24 hrs/day
STAT: Yes
Turnaround Time                 
   10 Minutes 
Reference Range Normal: 0.5 - 1.8 mmol/L, effective 3/17/2009
Critical: >4.0 mmol/L
Comments
  • 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.
  • Patients should not exercise their arm or clench their fist before or during collection.
  • 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