Which blood test panel is typically drawn in a tube containing sodium heparin?

The lipid panel is typically drawn in a tube containing sodium heparin because sodium heparin is an anticoagulant that prevents the blood from clotting, which is essential for analyzing blood components accurately. The lipid panel measures cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, and using an anticoagulant helps ensure that the results reflect the actual levels present in the bloodstream without interference from clotting factors.

In contrast, other tests may require different additives. For example, the cardiac panel often uses serum separators or other types of anticoagulants, and the hematology panel usually involves EDTA as an additive to preserve blood cell morphology and keep cells intact for analysis. The chemistry panel can sometimes employ gel separator tubes, depending on the specific tests being conducted. Thus, the use of sodium heparin in the lipid panel is critical for obtaining accurate and reliable results.