Preferred Specimen(s) 1 mL citrated plasma
Instructions Freeze immediately after separating from cells. Do not thaw.
Transport Container Plastic screw vial
Transport Temperature Frozen
Reject Criteria
- Received room temperature or refrigerated;
- hemolysis;
- lipemia
Methodology Chromogenic
Clinical Significance Low Factor XIII levels, i.e., <15%, may cause a bleeding disorder and levels <2% have been associated with spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage.