BLOOD SAMPLE KIT
Includes:
(1) Styrofoam test tube box
(3) Purple-top (EDTA) blood tube, 10ml
(1) Purple-top (EDTA) blood tube, 5ml
(1) Cardboard box
(1) Federal Express mailer pack with
pre-addressed mailing information
(1) Tiger-top blood tube, 10ml
(1) Plastic tube with screw cap
(4) Consent forms
(1) Questionnaire
(1) Plastic ziplock bag
INSTRUCTIONS FOR BLOOD DRAWING AND PROCESSING
Upon receiving the kit, please check for blood tube damage. Any damaged tubes should be discarded
and replaced by new tubes. These are standard blood tubes that should be readily available at the physician’s
laboratory.
1. All samples should be sent to:
Abhimanyu Garg, M.D.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
5323 Harry Hines Blvd.
Center for Human Nutrition, K5.202
Dallas, TX 75390-8537
2. All fees for blood drawing and handling of samples should be billed to: Dr. A. Garg at the above
address.
3. Please label outside of box “Exempt Human Specimen” if not already labeled. This is a new
government regulation for shipping specimens and the package may be returned to you if it is not
complied with.
4. Patients should have their blood drawn after a 10-12 hour overnight fast. This means nothing to eat or
drink except water after 8 PM the day before. Please schedule blood drawing on Monday through
Wednesday.
5. There are two consent forms, two HIPPA consent forms, and one questionnaire. Keep one of each
consent form for yourself and send the other ones back, signed, dated, with the completed
questionnaire and your blood samples in the Federal Express mailer pack provided.
6. Blood should be collected in the six tubes provided. DO NOT CENTRIFUGE ANY PURPLE-TOP,
GREEN-TOP, RED-TOP, OR YELLOW-TOP TUBES. Return these tubes with whole blood.
7. Allow for the blood to clot in the tiger-top tubes for 45 minutes. CENTRIFUGE TIGER-TOP
TUBE and pour serum into the plastic tube. Discard the tiger-top tube and send the serum in the
plastic bag along with the tubes containing the whole blood.
8. Place your name, the date, and time on your tubes. Place the tubes in the white styrofoam box, lay the
absorbent material over the tubes in the box and then tape the box shut.
9. We have provided a cardboard box labeled for diagnostic specimens. Please place the styrofoam box
in the ziplock bag before placing it in the cardboard box and then the Federal Express plastic mailer
packet. Seal per instructions on the envelope. Call Federal Express for same day pickup.
10. Use the Federal Express Overnight Delivery Ticket to mail packet. Do not ship on Fridays, as we are
unable to accept packages on Saturday.
11. DO NOT be alarmed by the bright orange label that reads “Biohazard”. A new government regulation
requires that we place these on all shipments of biological material, such as blood.
If you have any questions or problems, please contact Dr. Garg at (214)648-2895, Monday through
Friday. Thank you for your participation in this important ongoing study.