Which tube would be used for testing liver function?

The gold or tiger top tube is used for testing liver function because it contains a gel separator that facilitates the separation of blood components after centrifugation. This is crucial for tests that assess liver function, as serum samples are typically required for enzyme and protein tests, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin levels.

This tube often contains a clot activator, which helps the blood to clot more quickly, ensuring that serum is readily available when the sample is processed. The separation of serum from blood cells allows for accurate measurement of the substances of interest in liver function tests, providing essential information about the health of the liver.

Other options, such as the gray tube, which is used for glucose testing, and the lavender tube, commonly used for complete blood counts, are not suitable for liver function tests as they do not provide the necessary serum sample. The red tube, while it can also be used for serum tests, typically does not contain a gel separator, which makes it less efficient for the specific requirements of liver function testing compared to the gold or tiger top tube.