What Is a Green Top Blood Tube?
A green top blood tube is a blood collection tube that contains heparin, an anticoagulant that helps prevent the collected blood from clotting. Green top tubes are commonly used when a plasma specimen is required for laboratory testing.
BD Vacutainer® green top blood collection tubes are available with different types of heparin, including sodium heparin and lithium heparin. Although the tubes may have similar green closures, the additives are different and should not automatically be considered interchangeable.
What Is in a Green Top Blood Tube?
The two common heparin additives found in green top blood collection tubes are:
Sodium Heparin: Sodium heparin acts as an anticoagulant and is available in several BD Vacutainer tube sizes and draw volumes.
Lithium Heparin: Lithium heparin also prevents clotting and is commonly used when a plasma specimen is required.
The specific additive is identified on the tube label. Healthcare professionals should always verify whether sodium heparin or lithium heparin is required for the laboratory test being performed.
What Is a Green Top Tube Used For?
Green top tubes are designed for the collection of heparinized plasma or whole blood, depending on the specific tube and laboratory procedure.
Because laboratory requirements vary, the correct blood collection tube should be selected according to the receiving laboratory's protocol and the manufacturer's instructions rather than by closure color alone.
Green Top vs. Light Green Top Blood Tubes
A traditional green top tube generally contains sodium heparin or lithium heparin without separator gel.
A light green top tube may be a plasma separator tube, commonly called a PST tube. BD Vacutainer PST™ tubes contain lithium heparin along with polymer separator gel.
This distinction is important when ordering blood collection supplies because a standard green top tube and a light green PST tube may be intended for different specimen-processing requirements.
Shop BD Vacutainer Green Top Blood Tubes
Lexicon Medical Supply carries BD Vacutainer green top blood collection tubes in multiple sizes, draw volumes and heparin configurations, including sodium heparin and lithium heparin tubes.
When ordering, check the BD manufacturer catalog number, heparin type, draw volume and tube dimensions to ensure you are selecting the product required by your facility.
Browse our selection of BD Vacutainer blood collection tubes and supplies online or search Lexicon Medical Supply by the BD manufacturer catalog number.
Clinical Information Disclaimer: This article is provided for general product education and purchasing information. Always follow the receiving laboratory's collection requirements, facility procedures and the manufacturer's current instructions for use.
