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Epic Test Code LAB53 Calcium, Total: Serum

Performing Location(s)

BMC,CRH,LFH,HRK,OCH,FTT,FOX,FCC

Specimen Type

Serum or Plasma

Preferred Container

Gold or Red top

Alternate Container

Green top

Blood Tube Draw Volume

Min 50% draw volume  

Minimum Volume to Submit for Testing

1.0 mL Serum or Plasma

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

Transportation Needs

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

Storage Requirements

Sample tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection 

Gold tops are stable in original tubes for 7 days DO NOT ALIQUOT

Aliquot Red tops after centrifuging 

See Causes of Rejection for temperature requirements.

Causes for Rejection

Mislabeled or unlabeled specimen

Less than 50% draw for Vacutainer tubes
> 7 days refrigerated 
 > 7 days room temperature (Plasma tubes are routinely stored at the lab for only 3 days therefore, an add-on may not be possible after 3 days.)
> 1 year Frozen
Hemolysis > 500 mg/dL HgB
Lipemia > 1000 mg/dL Trig
Bilirubin > 40 mg/dL Bili

EDTA, Citrate

Limitations

Interference due to magnesium is negligible at magnesium levels normally encountered in human serum. A maximum positive interference of 0.7 mg/dL [0.17 mmol/L] occurs at a magnesium level of 7 mg/dL [2.9 mmol/L]. EDTA when present at 200 mg/dL [2 g/L] and potassium oxalate when present at 500 mg/dL [5 g/L] depresses the CA result to less than the assay range of the method.

Capillary collected blood may differ from venous due to contamination from hemolysis or interstitial fluid.

Reference Values

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

 

Days of Analysis

All

Available STAT

Yes

Additional Information

Patient Preparation Information:

Avoid excessive tourniquet time

 

Contraindications:

Blood from patients on EDTA therapy cannot be used.

Contrast media (e.g. Gadodiamide) commonly used to enhance images in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may cause artifactual decreases in serum calcium measurements. The package insert for Gadodiamide recommends waiting 12 to 24 hours between contrast agent administration and blood specimen collection to ensure that the contrast agent has been cleared. A longer waiting period might be necessary for patients with renal insufficiency. The average half-life of gadodiamide in patients with severely reduced renal function is 34 hours.

Methodology

Beckman AU/Dx Series

CPT Code

82310

Last Updated

26-OCT-24 MS