Which additive does potassium oxalate work in conjunction with?

Potassium oxalate is commonly used in conjunction with sodium fluoride in certain blood collection tubes. This combination is particularly effective because sodium fluoride acts as a glycolytic inhibitor, which helps to preserve glucose levels in the blood sample by preventing the breakdown of glucose by cells. Potassium oxalate serves as an anticoagulant by precipitating calcium, thus preventing blood clotting. The use of both additives together is essential for tests where maintaining glucose levels is critical, such as in glucose tolerance tests or other metabolic studies. This pairing is specifically designed to minimize any changes in the sample that could arise from cellular metabolism, ensuring accurate diagnostic results.