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Epic Test Code LAB108 Parathyroid Hormone (Intact) (Includes Total and Ionized Calcium)

Performing Location(s)

BMC

Includes

Calcium, Total; Calcium, Ionized; PTH, Intact

Specimen Type

Serum

Preferred Container

3 Gold top tubes

Alternate Container

1 Gold top tube and 2 Red top tube or 2 Gold top tubes and 1 Red top tube

1 Green for PTH only

 

Blood Tube Draw Volume

Min 50% draw volume  

50% of the tube fill volume is required for proper blood to additive ratio.

Minumum Volume to Submit for Testing

2 mL serum

  • Multiple test can be performed from this volume. For question please contact the lab at 547-3975

Storage Requirements

Freeze the plastic aliquot tube containing the serum for the PTH at -15° to -25°C.( Specimen is stable for 8 hours refrigerated or 4 hours room temp)

Refrigerate the plastic aliquot tube containing the serum for the Total Calcium

Refrigerate the centrifuged,  gold top tube containing the serum for the iCal.

Transportation Needs

Deliver specimen to laboratory within 1 hour of collection if unspun. If not possible see "storage Requirements". 

Transport plastic aliquot containing serum for PTH frozen

Transport plastic aliquot containing serum for Total Calcium refrigerated

Transport centrifuged, tube for iCAL refrigerated

Causes for Rejection

Less than 50% draw for Vacutainer tubes
Mislabeled or unlabeled specimen

Red top not spun and separated from cells within 2 hours of collection
Gold top tube not spun within 2 hours of collection

Serum > 8 hours refrigerated for PTH testing

Specimen >4 hours at room temperature for PTH testing

Plasma >8 hours room temp

Plasma >48 hours refrigerated

 NaF

See ICAL for specific rejections

Hemolysis >500 mg/dL

Lipermia >3000 mg.dL

Reference Values

 PTH, Intact Reference Range
Population Units Reference Range
> 18 years pg/mL 12.0-88.0

 

 

 Total Calcium Reference Ranges
Population Units Reference Range High Critical Value Low Critical Value
Less than 1 week mg/dL 7.0 - 12.0 > 13.0  6.0
General (> 1 week) mg/dL 8.6 - 10.3 > 13.0  6.0

 

Ionized Calcium Reference Ranges
Population Units Reference Range High Critical Value Low Critical Value
All Populations mmol/L 1.05-1.35 > 1.63 < 0.75

 

Limitations

Patient who have been regularly exposed to animals or have received immunotherapy or diagnostic procedures utilizing Immunoglobulins or Immunoglobulin fragments may produce antibodies (E.g. HAMA) that may interfere with this assay and cause erroneous results. If this is suspected, PTH-HAMA may be ordered to rule out this interference.

Pediatric reference ranges have not been established. For patient ≤ 18 years old, order PTH2.

Additional Information

Additional Information:

Intact PTH has been demonstrated to be labile, and is susceptible to fragmentation. This instability depends on both time and temperature.  Centrifuge with in 2 hrs of collection. Aliquot serum and store frozen if not tested within 4 hours.

 

Three separate specimens are required. All specimens should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.

 

Process as follows:

Gold top tube(s):

Aliquot the serum from the other specimen tube (if two Gold top tubes were drawn) and freeze for the PTH.

Transport to lab as soon as possible. Freeze within 4 hours if transport is delayed.

Red top tube:

Can be used for PTH but not for ionized calcium

Transfer serum to plastic aliquot tube. Freeze and transport to lab frozen.

 

This test is NOT available on a STAT basis, unless from the OR. If an emergency request is necessary, call 3731 for availability. Pathologist approval may be required.

 

 

 

 

Days of Analysis

All

Available STAT

No

Methodology

Total Calcium: Beckman AU/Dx Series

Ionized Calcium: Ion specific electrode

PTH, Intact: Beckman AU/Dx Series

CPT Code

83970, 82310, 82330

Last Updated

21-Jun-22 BHD