Osteocalcin, Serum
Also known as: Bone GLA Protein
Use
Evaluate bone disease. Increased levels of osteocalcin are found in bone diseases characterized by increased bone turnover. Osteocalcin has been found to be elevated in Paget disease of the bone, cancer accompanied by bone metastases, primary hyperparathyroidism and renal osteodystrophy. Osteocalcin levels may serve as useful index in evaluating the therapeutic management of the patient.
Special Instructions
Osteocalcin, also known as bone Gla protein (BGP), is a major noncollagenous protein of bone matrix with a molecular weight of approximately 5.8 kilodaltons. It consists of 49 amino acids and includes three residues of γ-carboxyglutamic acid. Synthesized in bone by osteoblasts, it is partly incorporated into the bone matrix and partly released into the circulatory system.
Limitations
The exact physiological function of osteocalcin is unclear. However, circulating levels of osteocalcin reflect the rate of bone formation. The test may not differentiate among the causes of increased turnover or provide direct evidence of specific bone pathologies.
Methodology
Immunoassay (ELISA)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 2697-1
- 2697-1
Result Turnaround Time
2-4 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.8 mL
Minimum Volume
0.4 mL
Container
Red-top tube or gel-barrier tube
Collection Instructions
Transfer the serum into a Labcorp PP transpak frozen purple tube with screw cap (Labcorp No. 49482). Freeze immediately and maintain frozen until tested. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.
Storage Instructions
Freeze.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | unstable |
| Refrigerated | unstable |
| Frozen | -20°C = 30 days; -70°C = 90 days |