Which tube contains EDTA as an anticoagulant?

The lavender top tube is specifically designed to contain EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) as its anticoagulant. EDTA binds calcium in the blood, which effectively prevents clotting and allows for the preservation of blood cell morphology and function. This makes the lavender tube particularly useful for hematological studies, such as complete blood counts (CBC), where accurate cellular values are crucial.

The other tubes listed have different anticoagulants or additives. For instance, the green top tube typically contains heparin, which works by inhibiting thrombin and factor Xa to prevent clot formation. The gold top tube usually contains a gel separator and often clot activators, which facilitate clotting for serum separation. The light blue tube is commonly used for coagulation tests and contains sodium citrate, which also acts as an anticoagulant but works differently than EDTA. Each of these additives has specific functions and is selected based on the type of testing needed.