What does the EDTA in the lavender tube do?

The presence of EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) in the lavender tube plays a crucial role in phlebotomy and laboratory testing. EDTA acts as an anticoagulant, which means it prevents the blood from clotting. This is essential for preserving the morphology of blood cells during testing. By chelating calcium ions in the blood, EDTA effectively inhibits the coagulation process, allowing for accurate analysis and examination of cellular components such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Maintaining the integrity of these cells is vital, especially in tests that require precise cell counts or evaluations, as any clotting could lead to inaccurate results. Given its unique function, EDTA is widely used in hematology for complete blood counts and other blood tests where the cellular structure needs to remain intact for proper analysis.