Calcitonin (Thyrocalcitonin), Six Specimens
Use
This test measures the level of calcitonin, a hormone produced by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid gland, in serum. It is used to aid in the diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) as well as other diseases of the thyroid and parathyroid. Elevated calcitonin levels can be associated with MTC, especially after stimulation in provocative testing scenarios.
Special Instructions
This panel is a series panel requiring multiple tubes to be drawn at multiple time points. This panel is used to collect an initial tube (baseline) and then treat the patient with a drug (pill or shot) or other treatment (such as glucola) and then collect more tubes after the dose.
Limitations
Values obtained with different assay methods or kits cannot be used interchangeably. The test is part of a series that should not be collected until the clinician is contacted to determine why a series is ordered. Additional confirmatory tests may add time to the overall process.
Methodology
Immunoassay (ICMA)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 12506-2
- 12507-0
- 12508-8
- 12509-6
- 33788-1
- 58892-1
- 58892-1
- 33788-1
- 12506-2
- 12507-0
- 12508-8
- 12509-6
Result Turnaround Time
2-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
Not provided
Minimum Volume
Not provided
Collection Instructions
Refer to the Endocrine Appendix of the LabCorp Directory of Services for instructions on multiple specimen testing. Draw multiple tubes at specified time intervals.