ALS Scandinavia offers analyses for whole blood as well as for serum/plasma. As a customer, it is important to be careful in the choice of sample type for analysis. The concentrations of certain elements differ beteen blood and serum. There are, e.g., higher concentrations of iron, lead, cadmium and mercury in blood than in serum as a result of these metals to a higher extend being bound to proteins. 

Blood plasma is what remains of the blood after removing all cells before coagulation. Blood plasma is to 90% water, and its function is to transport several important compounds to the cells and to transport the rest products emitted by the cells (except for carbon dioxide and oxygen).

Serum is a yellowish transparent fluid resulting from the removal of blood cells and coagulation proteins from coagulated blood. Serum contains proteins, e.g. antibodies.