Sodium Citrate Tubes – Blue Top: 2.7ml, 4.5ml — Coagulation (PT, APTT).

A sodium citrate tube is a type of blood collection tube used in medical labs. It contains a clear solution of sodium citrate, which acts as an anticoagulant. An anticoagulant is a substance that prevents blood from clotting too soon.

The tube is usually light blue in color, which makes it easy for healthcare professionals to recognize.

When your blood is drawn into this tube, the sodium citrate binds to calcium in your blood. Calcium is one of the main elements that helps blood clot. By tying up the calcium temporarily, sodium citrate keeps the blood in liquid form until the lab is ready to test it.

Why Sodium Citrate Is Used in Blood Collection

Keeping Blood From Clotting During Tests

Sodium citrate is mostly used to stop blood from clotting before the test starts. If the blood in the tube clots, it can’t be used to test for clotting diseases, problems with bleeding, or even to keep an eye on medicines that thin the blood.

Keeping Blood Components Stable

With sodium citrate, blood is kept steady so that it can be tested correctly in the lab. This means that doctors can rely on the data to help them diagnose or treat their patients.