Yellow Top :
It is called serum separator tube. Polymer gel and clot activator. Uses LFT , KFT , Lipid profile and other biochemistry assays, serological test.
Red Top :
Clot activator. Biochemistry assays or serological test.
Blue Top :
Anticoagulant and sodium citrate (3.2%). Mode of action : sodium citrate binds and remove calcium to prevent blood from clotting. Uses — coagulation studies. Platelets aggregation studies. Blood is collected with ration of 9:1.
Black Top :
Sodium citrate (3.8%) Ratio is 9:1. Uses — ESR by westergren method.
Green Top : sodium heparin
Used for bone marrow and peripheral blood cytogenitic studies, osmotic fragility test. Mode of action — inhibits thrombin formation to prevent clotting. The ratio of blood with anticoagulant is 0.2 mg/ml.
Levender Top/ purple top :
Anticoagulant — EDTA ( Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) . Mode of action — Remove calcium preventing clotting of blood. K2 EDTA is strong anticoagulant used for CBC, blood grouping, Hba1c , abnormal Hb studies and PCR tests.
Grey Top :
Potassium oxalate and sodium fluoride. Mode of action : sodium fluoride acts as antiglycolytic agent and prevent glucose break down . Potassium oxalate act as a anticoagulant, remove calcium. Uses — Glucose estimation.