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
Not provided.
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.
Methodology
Immunoassay (CLIA)
Biomarkers
Calcitonin
Analyte
LOINC Codes
- 1992-7 - Calcit SerPl-mCnc
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 |
Other tests from different labs that may be relevant
