Homocysteine is drawn in a Serum tube at Quest, a Lavender-top (EDTA) tube, green-top (heparin) tube, red-top tube, or gel-barrier tube at LabCorp, and a SST Tube at BioReference.
Lab comparison
Homocysteine: Quest vs LabCorp vs BioReference, tube, code & requirements
. This page shows collection requirements for all three major reference labs in one view, so you don’t have to cross-check three portals.
Always verify against your lab’s current collection manual before drawing.
Every value on this page is verified by a nurse practitioner in active clinical practice, not scraped from an automated source.
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| Requirement | Quest Diagnostics | LabCorp | BioReference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test code | 31789 | 706994 | 1311-0 |
| Primary tube | Serum tube | Lavender-top (EDTA) tube, green-top (heparin) tube, red-top tube, or gel-barrier tube | SST Tube |
| Specimen type | 1 mL serum | Plasma (preferred); serum is acceptable. | 1 mL SST Tube |
| Patient prep | A fasting specimen is preferred to establish baseline values or monitor treatment. | A fasting specimen is preferred to establish baseline values or monitor treatment. | A fasting specimen is preferred to establish baseline values or monitor treatment. |
| Minimum volume | Minimum Volume 0.5 mL | Minimum Volume 1 mL | Qty 1 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Quest Diagnostics order code for Homocysteine?
The Quest Diagnostics order code for Homocysteine is 31789.
What tube color does LabCorp use for Homocysteine?
LabCorp uses a Lavender-top (EDTA) tube, green-top (heparin) tube, red-top tube, or gel-barrier tube for Homocysteine.
Does Homocysteine require fasting?
Homocysteine patient prep: A fasting specimen is preferred to establish baseline values or monitor treatment.. Always confirm with the ordering lab before the draw.
Data provenance
Source: Quest Diagnostics specimen collection manual, LabCorp directory of services, and BioReference laboratory collection guide.
Verified by: a licensed nurse practitioner in active clinical practice. Values are reviewed against each lab’s published collection requirements. Always confirm against your lab’s current manual before drawing.
Quest verified by: Mandi Boss B Franklin, Jul 19, 2026
LabCorp verified by: Mandi Boss B Franklin, Jul 19, 2026
BioReference verified by: Mandi Boss B Franklin, Jul 19, 2026
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