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Test Code LAB0203950 Calcitonin, Serum

Additional Codes

Mayo Test ID
CATN

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Useful For

Aids in the diagnosis and follow-up of medullary thyroid carcinoma

 

Aids in the evaluation of multiple endocrine neoplasia type II and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma

 

This test is not useful for evaluating calcium metabolic diseases.

Method Name

Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay

Reporting Name

Calcitonin, S

Specimen Type

Serum


Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: For 12 hours before specimen collection, patient should not take multivitamins or dietary supplements (eg, hair, skin, and nail supplements) containing biotin (vitamin B7).

Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. After collection, immediately place specimen on ice.

2. Refrigerate specimen during centrifugation and immediately transfer serum to a plastic vial.


CentraCare Laboratory Services Note:

Freeze serum within 1 hour of collection and submit frozen.

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.75 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Frozen (preferred) 90 days
  Refrigerated  24 hours
  Ambient  8 hours

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis Reject
Gross lipemia OK

Reference Values

Pediatric

1 month: ≤34 pg/mL

2 months: ≤31 pg/mL

3 months: ≤28 pg/mL

4 months: ≤26 pg/mL

5 months: ≤24 pg/mL

6 months: ≤22 pg/mL

7 months: ≤20 pg/mL

8 months: ≤19.0 pg/mL

9 months: ≤17.0 pg/mL

10 months: ≤16.0 pg/mL

11 months: ≤15.0 pg/mL

12-14 months: ≤14.0 pg/mL

15-17 months: ≤12.0 pg/mL

18-20 months: ≤10.0 pg/mL

21-23 months: ≤9.0 pg/mL

2 years: ≤8.0 pg/mL

3-9 years: ≤7.0 pg/mL

10-15 years: ≤6.0 pg/mL

16 years: ≤5.0 pg/mL

 

Adults

17 years and older:

Males: ≤14.3 pg/mL

Females: ≤7.6 pg/mL

 

For International System of Units (SI) conversion for Reference Values, see www.mayocliniclabs.com/order-tests/si-unit-conversion.html.

Interpretation

Although most patients with sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) have high basal serum calcitonin concentrations, 30% of those with familial MTC or multiple endocrine neoplasia type II have normal basal levels.

 

In completely cured cases following surgical therapy for MTC, serum calcitonin levels fall into the undetectable range over a variable period of several weeks. Persistently elevated postoperative serum calcitonin levels usually indicate incomplete cure. The reasons for this can be locoregional lymph node spread or distant metastases. In most of these cases, imaging procedures are required for further workup. Those individuals who are then found to suffer only locoregional spread may benefit from additional surgical procedures. However, the survival benefits derived from such approaches are still debated.

 

A rise in previously undetectable or very low postoperative serum calcitonin levels is highly suggestive of disease recurrence or spread and should trigger further diagnostic evaluations.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Report Available

1 to 3 days

Specimen Retention Time

2 weeks

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

82308

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
CATN Calcitonin, S 1992-7

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
CATN Calcitonin, S 1992-7

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.