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Test Code LAB53 Calcium, Total, Plasma or Serum

Reporting Title

Calcium, Total

Methodology

Roche Diagnostics, NM-BAPTA: RMH, BH, DH, DMH, GCMH, GMC, GMH, MGH, MH, OBH, PMH, WECC, HMH, SH

Useful in diagnosis and monitoring of hypocalcemia (impaired parathyroid or vitamin D function) and hypercalcemia (primary hyperparathyroidism) or bone metastasis.

Performing Laboratory

OhioHealth Laboratory Services - RMH, BH, DH, DMH, GCMH, GMC, GMH, HMH, MGH, MH, OBH, PMH, SH, WECC Core Laboratories

Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Preferred:

Serum

Draw blood in a gold-top serum gel tube(s). Spin down and send 1 mL of serum refrigerated. 
Note:

1. A speckled-top serum gel tube (s) or a plain, red-top tube(s) is also acceptable.

2. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast media containing chelating agents (gadodiamide) may interfere with testing.
3. Indicate serum on request form.

4. Label specimen appropriately (serum).

 

Alternate: Preferred for Siemens Users

Plasma

Draw blood in a mint green-top (heparin) gel tube(s). (Lavender-top [EDTA] tube is not acceptable.) Spin down and send 1 mL of heparinized plasma refrigerated. 

Note:

1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast media containing chelating agents (gadodiamide) may interfere with testing.

2. Indicate plasma on request form.

3. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).

 

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum or plasma Refrigerated 3 weeks
  Ambient  7 days
  Frozen  8 months

 

Specimen Transport Temperature

Refrigerate/Ambient OK/Frozen OK

Reference Values

0-11 days:  7.6-10.4 mg/dL

12 days-2 years:  9.0-11.0 mg/dL

3-12 years:  8.8-10.8 mg/dL

≥13 years:  8.4-10.2 mg/dL

Critical values <6.0 mg/dL or >13.5 mg/dL

Alerting category: Always called within 1 hour 

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday; Continuously

Test Classification and CPT Coding

82310