Calcitonin test

CALCITONIN TEST

DESCRIPTION – This test measures the level of calcitonin in your blood. Calcitonin is a hormone made by your thyroid, a small, butterfly-shaped gland located near the throat. Calcitonin helps control how the body uses calcium

METHODOLOGY – quantitative chemiluminiscent immunoassay

TURN AROUND TIME – 1-2 days

PATIENT PREPARATION –

COLLECT – serum separator tube or green (sodium heparin)

SPECIMEN PREPARATION – separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 2 ml of serum or plasma to transport tube

STORAGE/TRANSPORT TEMPERATURE – refrigerated

STABILTY – ambient: 8 hours; refrigerated: 1 week; frozen: 3 months

UNACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS – tissue or urine. EDTA plasma. Grossly hemolyzed or lipemic specimen

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS – clinical history is mandatory