Test directory: Prothrombin Time (PT)

Ordering Code 514
Test Name Prothrombin Time (PT)
Alias Protime
PT
INR
Preferred Specimen Whole Blood
Preferred Container Citrate, 3.2% (Lt Blue)
Other Specimen/Container Plasma in Citrate, 3.2% (Lt Blue)
Optimum Volume Whole Blood: Entire tube
Plasma: 1.0 mL
Collection Instructions Draw full tube
Mix tube well.
Handling Instructions Do NOT chill whole blood - results may be affected. If sending plasma: double centrifuge to produce platelet-poor plasma, avoid the WBC/platelet buffy layer, separate and freeze at -20 deg C immediately. Do NOT thaw once specimen is frozen.
Transport Requirements On Oahu: Ambient if Whole Blood and testing is done
within 24 hours
Airline: Frozen (Plasma)
Note: Send Frozen Plasma if testing will be done >24 hours
from collection
Specimen Stability Ambient: 24 Hours
Refrigerated: Not Stable
Frozen: 2 Weeks Plasma
Rejection Criteria Clotted, Contaminated, Hemolyzed, Overfilled tube, Specimen older than stability limits, Underfilled tube, Collected in the wrong anticoagulant, Mislabeled
Avail. Stat YES
Analytic Time 1 Day
Methodology Clot Detection

Reference range(s)

Component Age Male Norm Male Critical Low Male Critical High Female Norm Female Critical High Female Critical Low Units Add'l info
Prothrombin Time (PT) ALL 10.2-12.9 10.2-12.9 secs
INR ALL >= 4.5 >= 4.5
Moderate-intensity... Moderate-intensity Warfarin therapy         2.0-3.0
Higher-intensity Warfarin therapy           2.5-3.5