Which sample contains fibrinogen?

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Fibrinogen is a soluble coagulation factor that circulates in blood plasma. During clot formation, thrombin converts fibrinogen into fibrin to form the clot. When blood is allowed to clot and serum is collected, fibrinogen is consumed and removed from the liquid portion, so serum lacks fibrinogen. If you need to assess fibrinogen or coagulation factors, you use plasma, which is the anticoagulated liquid portion of blood and still contains fibrinogen. Red blood cells and platelets are cellular components and do not provide the fibrinogen that remains in plasma.