Calcitonin
Also known as: CALCI
Use
The calcitonin test is primarily used to diagnose and monitor medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). It serves as a secondary test in diagnosing multiple endocrine neoplasia type II and familial MTC. Calcitonin levels greater than 100 pg/mL may be indicative of conditions such as medullary thyroid carcinomas, leukemias, and myeloproliferative disorders. Provocative testing using calcium is suggested if the calcitonin level is not clearly diagnostic for MTC.
Special Instructions
Calcitonin levels should be interpreted carefully as they cannot be used as absolute evidence of the presence or absence of malignant disease. The Siemens Immulite® 2000 method is used for testing, and results obtained with different assay methods or kits cannot be used interchangeably.
Limitations
Results obtained with different assay methods or kits regarding calcitonin are not interchangeable. Despite the calcitonin assay's utility in MTC monitoring, its values, irrespective of level, should not be deemed definitive proof of malignant disease presence or absence.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (CLIA)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 1992-7
Result Turnaround Time
1-2 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
2 mL
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Container
ARUP Standard Transport Tube
Collection Instructions
Collect in serum separator tube or green (sodium or lithium heparin). Separate serum or plasma from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerated
Causes for Rejection
Tissue or urine. EDTA plasma. Grossly hemolyzed or lipemic specimens.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 8 hours |
| Refrigerated | 1 week |
| Frozen | 3 months |