What Are BD Tiger Top Tubes?

Tiger top tubes are blood collection tubes commonly used for the collection and preparation of serum specimens. The nickname "tiger top" comes from the distinctive mottled red-and-gray closure found on certain BD Vacutainer® SST™ serum separator tubes.

BD Vacutainer SST tubes contain a clot activator and polymer separator gel. The clot activator helps promote clotting, while the separator gel is designed to form a physical barrier between the serum and cellular components of the blood after proper centrifugation.

What Does SST Mean?

SST stands for Serum Separator Tube.

BD Vacutainer SST blood collection tubes combine two important components:

• Clot activator to promote clot formation

• Polymer separator gel to help separate serum from cellular components after centrifugation

This combination makes SST tubes a commonly used blood collection option when a serum specimen is required.

Why Are They Called Tiger Top Tubes?

The term "tiger top" refers to the mottled or striped appearance of the red-and-gray tube closure.

You may also hear these products referred to as:

• Tiger top blood tubes

• Tiger top Vacutainer tubes

• SST tubes

• Serum separator tubes

• BD Vacutainer SST tubes

• Red and gray top tubes

These terms are often used when searching for serum separator blood collection products.

What Are Tiger Top Tubes Used For?

Tiger top SST tubes are designed for the collection and preparation of serum.

After blood is collected and allowed to clot according to the applicable procedure, the tube is centrifuged. The polymer separator gel moves into position and creates a barrier between the serum and cellular components.

The resulting serum can then be used for laboratory testing when an SST tube is appropriate for the required test.

Because specimen requirements vary, healthcare professionals should always follow the receiving laboratory's collection and processing instructions when selecting and using a blood collection tube.

Tiger Top vs. Gold Top Tubes

Both tiger top and gold top tubes may be BD Vacutainer SST serum separator tubes.

The most important consideration is not simply the closure color. Healthcare professionals should verify the specific product's:

• Additive

• Draw volume

• Tube dimensions

• Closure type

• Manufacturer catalog number

• Intended application

A gold top tube and tiger top tube should not be assumed to be identical simply because both are referred to as SST tubes.

Tiger Top vs. Red Top Blood Tubes

Tiger top SST tubes and red top blood tubes are also different products.

A tiger top SST tube contains separator gel and clot activator.

Depending on the specific product, a red top blood collection tube may have a different additive configuration and may not contain separator gel.

Always verify the tube label and manufacturer specifications rather than selecting a blood collection tube based only on cap color.

BD Vacutainer SST Tiger Top Tube Sizes & Part Numbers

BD Vacutainer SST serum separator tubes are available in multiple draw volumes, tube dimensions and closure configurations. Choosing the correct BD Vacutainer part number helps ensure that the appropriate tube size, draw volume and closure are ordered.

Here are several commonly available BD Vacutainer SST configurations:

BD Part Number	Tube Size	Draw Volume	Closure / Configuration
BD 367981	13 x 75 mm	3.5 mL	Conventional red/gray stopper
BD 367983	13 x 75 mm	3.5 mL	Hemogard closure
BD 367977	13 x 100 mm	4.0 mL	Hemogard closure
BD 367986	13 x 100 mm	5.0 mL	Hemogard closure
BD 367989	13 x 100 mm	5.0 mL	See-through label with Hemogard closure
BD 367987	16 x 100 mm	7.5 mL	Conventional red/gray stopper
BD 367988	16 x 100 mm	8.5 mL	Conventional red/gray stopper
BD 367985	16 x 125 mm	10.0 mL	Conventional red/gray stopper; double polymer gel

BD 367981 – 3.5 mL SST Tube

BD Vacutainer 367981 is a 13 x 75 mm SST blood collection tube with a 3.5 mL draw volume and conventional red/gray stopper.

BD 367983 – 3.5 mL SST Tube with Hemogard Closure

BD Vacutainer 367983 also has a 3.5 mL draw volume and measures 13 x 75 mm, but features a Hemogard closure.

BD 367977 – 4.0 mL SST Tube

BD Vacutainer 367977 is a 13 x 100 mm serum separator tube with a 4.0 mL draw volume and Hemogard closure.

BD 367986 – 5.0 mL SST Tube

BD Vacutainer 367986 is a 13 x 100 mm SST tube with a 5.0 mL draw volume and Hemogard closure.

BD 367989 – 5.0 mL SST Tube with See-Through Label

BD Vacutainer 367989 is a 13 x 100 mm, 5.0 mL SST tube featuring a see-through label and Hemogard closure.

BD 367987 – 7.5 mL SST Tube

BD Vacutainer 367987 is a larger 16 x 100 mm serum separator tube with a 7.5 mL draw volume and conventional red/gray stopper.

BD 367988 – 8.5 mL SST Tube

BD Vacutainer 367988 is a 16 x 100 mm SST blood collection tube with an 8.5 mL draw volume and conventional red/gray stopper.

BD 367985 – 10.0 mL SST Tube

BD Vacutainer 367985 is a 16 x 125 mm SST tube with a 10.0 mL draw volume, conventional red/gray stopper and double polymer gel.

How Do I Choose the Correct BD SST Tube?

When purchasing BD Vacutainer SST tubes, don't rely on the term "tiger top" alone. Different BD catalog numbers can have different draw volumes, dimensions and closure configurations.

Before ordering, verify:

• BD manufacturer part number

• Draw volume

• Tube dimensions

• Closure type

• Additive and separator configuration

• Package quantity

• Your laboratory's specimen collection requirements

If your facility already uses a specific BD Vacutainer product, searching by the six-digit BD catalog number is often the easiest way to locate the correct replacement.

Shop BD Vacutainer SST Tiger Top Tubes

Lexicon Medical Supply carries BD Vacutainer SST serum separator tubes and other blood collection supplies for laboratories, hospitals, physician offices, clinics and other healthcare facilities.

Shop BD Vacutainer SST tubes by size, draw volume or manufacturer catalog number, including BD 367981, 367983, 367977, 367986, 367989, 367987, 367988 and 367985.

Browse our selection of BD Vacutainer blood collection tubes or search Lexicon Medical Supply using the exact BD manufacturer catalog number to locate the configuration you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tiger top blood tube?

A tiger top blood tube is a common name for certain serum separator tubes with a mottled red-and-gray closure. BD Vacutainer SST tiger top tubes contain clot activator and polymer separator gel.

What does SST stand for?

SST stands for Serum Separator Tube.

Do tiger top tubes contain gel?

BD Vacutainer SST tiger top tubes contain polymer separator gel along with a clot activator. Following appropriate processing and centrifugation, the gel helps form a barrier between the serum and cellular components.

What sizes do BD Vacutainer SST tubes come in?

BD Vacutainer SST tubes are available in multiple configurations. Examples include 3.5 mL, 4.0 mL, 5.0 mL, 7.5 mL, 8.5 mL and 10.0 mL draw volumes. Always verify the exact BD catalog number and specifications required.

Are tiger top and gold top tubes the same?

Both closure styles can be associated with BD Vacutainer SST serum separator tubes, but specific products can differ in size, draw volume and other characteristics. Always verify the manufacturer's catalog number and product specifications.

Is a tiger top tube the same as a red top tube?

No. A tiger top SST tube contains separator gel and clot activator. Red top tubes may have different additive configurations and should not automatically be considered interchangeable.

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Clinical Information Disclaimer: This article is provided for general product education and purchasing information. Healthcare professionals should follow their laboratory's specimen collection and processing requirements, facility procedures and the manufacturer's current instructions for use.