What are some tests performed using an SST tube?

The SST (Serum Separator Tube) is specifically designed for tests that require serum, which is the liquid part of the blood after it has clotted. The basic metabolic panel and serum pregnancy tests are both examples of analyses that utilize serum. A basic metabolic panel checks various substances in the blood, including glucose, calcium, and electrolytes, while the serum pregnancy test measures the levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Other tests listed, such as a complete blood count, prothrombin time, and PTT tests, typically require whole blood or plasma rather than serum. The complete blood count is performed on whole blood, while prothrombin time and PTT (partial thromboplastin time) tests are conducted using plasma, which requires different types of collection tubes. Therefore, the correct association of the SST tube with the specified tests highlights its use in obtaining serum for specific biochemical assessments.