Patient Preparation

 

Collect

Serum separator tube or green (sodium or lithium heparin). 

Specimen Preparation

Separate serum or plasma from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 2 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 1 mL) 

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated. 

Unacceptable Conditions

Tissue or urine. EDTA plasma. Grossly hemolyzed or lipemic specimens. 

Remarks

 

Stability

After separation from cells: Ambient: 8 hours; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 3 months 

Male 3 years and older: 0.0-7.5 pg/mL
Female 3 years and older: 0.0-5.1 pg/mL

Calcitonin levels greater than 100 pg/mL may occur in the following conditions: medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTC), leukemias, and myeloproliferative disorders.

Provocative testing (calcium) is suggested in patients with MTC if the calcitonin is not clearly diagnostic.

The Siemens Immulite® 2000 method is used. Results obtained with different assay methods or kits cannot be used interchangeably. Calcitonin is useful in monitoring medullary thyroid carcinoma. The calcitonin assay value, regardless of level, should not be interpreted as absolute evidence of the presence or absence of malignant disease.

N/A

82308

Component Test Code*	Component Chart Name	LOINC
0070006	Calcitonin	1992-7

* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

• Human Calcitonin
• Thyrocalcitonin