What color tube would you use for a basic metabolic panel (BMP)?

A basic metabolic panel (BMP) typically requires the use of a gold or tiger top tube. This type of tube contains a gel separator that allows for the separation of serum from the blood cells after centrifugation. The BMP test measures various substances in the blood, including glucose, calcium, and electrolytes, which are all contained in the serum component.

Using the gold or tiger top tube ensures that the serum is effectively separated, providing an accurate assessment of the biochemical constituents being measured. Other tubes, like red, blue, or purple, are used for different types of tests that don't require the same serum separation process; for example, red tubes may be used for serum tests without additives, blue tubes are often used for coagulation tests, and purple tubes are typically for complete blood counts and other hematology tests.