Evaluation of a serum/plasma separator: suitability of samples for radioimmunoassay and competitive protein binding techniques.

A new method of separating serum or plasma from whole blood (Sure-Sep, W.R. Warner) has been evaluated with particular regard to the suitability of the serum/plasma samples for radioimmunoassay (R.I.A.) and competitive protein binding (C.P.B.) techniques. Sure-Sep did not affect the results obtained for the following assays: cortisol, thyroxine, triidothyronine, insulin, and growth hormone. In addition it was also found that contact of the serum or plasma samples with Sure-Sep for 24 hours at 4 degrees C was without effect on the results obtained.