What are the different color tubes for lab tests?
If you are unfamiliar with laboratory tests and the different color tubes that are used for each, this blog post is designed to give you an overview of the purpose behind their use. Specifically, we’ll discuss why it is important for physicians and other healthcare providers to consider which tube should be used for a specific lab situation in order to ensure accurate analysis of samples. Additionally, we’ll look at some common types of plastic or glass tubes most often seen when collecting patient specimens such as blood and urine, including what color they typically come in. Finally, special cases—where a physician has recommended special instructions that require specific colors—will also be discussed. Knowing the difference between oxygen-carrying red top laboratories tubes versus grey-top coagulation tubes can make all the difference when dealing with patient results!
Red blood cells
Red blood cells, also called erythrocytes, are a critical component of human health. They provide essential oxygen and nutrition to the body’s cells and are produced by the bone marrow. Red blood cells are unique in that they only contain one molecule of hemoglobin, which is a protein that binds oxygen and binds carbon dioxide for removal from the body. The average lifespan of a red blood cell is around 120 days before it becomes defective and must be broken down by macrophages or replaced—pretty good considering we create nearly 2 million new red blood cells every second! Fortunately, our bodies have an amazing natural system of recycling them: old red blood cells are scanned for destruction while healthy new red blood cells are continually supplied to the tissues. Red blood cells really are fascinating molecular machines!
White blood cells
White has been a major source of fascination throughout history. It is often seen as a symbol of innocence, purity, and hope. The ancient Greeks identified white with the goddess of dawn, while in Christianity, Jesus is sometimes depicted wearing white robes. White was once also widely used as a color for uniforms due to its connotations of loyalty and fidelity. White is pervasive in nature from snowflakes and polar bears to clouds and doves. Even certain flowers appear strikingly white despite their variety of vibrant colors – this appearance comes from the presence of silver and subtle shadings that highlight the white pigmentation. Although pure white is an elusive color to capture perfectly in art, shade, tints, and mixtures can all be used to create beautiful representations of it, making it an amazing tool for any painter or photographer seeking to achieve an impressive visual effect.
Bilirubin
Bilirubin is an important compound that is formed when red blood cells break down in the body. It is a yellow-orange pigment with a bitter taste, and it is stored in the bile of the liver before being eliminated by the intestines. High levels of bilirubin in the body can be indicative of certain medical conditions such as jaundice or liver disease. Conversely, low levels indicate healthy functioning of the body’s systems for recyling red blood cells. Understanding its role and keeping balanced levels are important for good health and body functioning.
Albumin
Albumin is essential for life – literally. Albumin is a protein produced by the liver, found in a variety of bodily fluids, including blood and lymph fluids. It contributes to the overall balance of fluid in your body and plays an important part in transporting other molecules, such as hormones, throughout the bloodstream. albumin is also beneficial for maintaining ideal blood pressure levels and preventing excess amounts from accumulating in your tissue and organs. Supplementation of albumin can be used to treat conditions like burns, blood loss shock or even renal failure. When taken intravenously, it helps build plasma volume levels faster than other techniques, making it a potentially life-saving treatment. Due to its vital physiological roles, it is clear that Albumin has incredible implications for health and wellbeing.
As you can see, there are many important components of blood. Each one plays a vital role in keeping us healthy. While we may not think about it often, blood is truly amazing! If you’d like to learn more about blood, please check out our website or give us a call. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
