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Test Code CA Calcium LAB53

Performing Laboratory

UnityPoint The Finley Hospital

Test Method

Enzymatic; Roche cobas Pro

Performance

Testing is performed Monday through Sunday.

Routine: Typically completed within 4 hours after the specimen arrives at the testing site.

STAT: Typically completed within 30 minutes after the specimen arrives at the testing site.

Specimen Requirement

  1. Lithium heparin plasma (Green) is the specimen of choice. 500μL.
  2. Serum (Red/Gold) is also an acceptable sample types.
  3. It is recommended that the serum or plasma be separated from contact with cells within 2 hours from time of collection.
  4. Specimens for calcium are stable for 7 days at 15-25°C and 3 weeks at 2-8°C. 

Useful For

Calcium is the most abundant mineral element in the body with about 99 percent in the bones primarily as hydroxyapatite. The remaining calcium is distributed between the various tissues and the extracellular fluids where it performs a vital role for many life sustaining processes. Among the extra skeletal functions of calcium are involvement in blood coagulation, neuromuscular conduction, excitability of skeletal and cardiac muscle, enzyme activation, and the preservation of cell membrane integrity and permeability. Serum calcium levels and hence the body content are controlled by parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, and vitamin D. An imbalance in any of these modulators leads to alterations of the body and serum calcium levels. Increases in serum PTH or vitamin D are usually associated with hypercalcemia. Increased serum calcium levels may also be observed in multiple myeloma and other neoplastic diseases. Hypocalcemia may be observed e.g. in hypoparathyroidism, nephrosis, and pancreatitis.

Reference Values

Serum/plasma: 

  1. 0-10 days: 7.6-10.4 mg/dL.
  2. 10 days - 2 years: 9.0-11.0 mg/dL
  3. 2-12 years: 8.8-10.8 mg/dL
  4. 12-18 years: 8.4-10.2 mg/dL
  5. 18-60 years: 8.6-10.0 mg/dL
  6. 60-90 years: 8.8-10.2 mg/dL
  7. >90 years: 8.2-9.6 mg/dL

Critical Values:
Serum/plasma: less than (<) 6.0 or greater than (>) 13.0 mg/dL

CPT Code Information

82310 Chemistry: Calcium; total

LOINC Code Information

17861-6 Calcium [Mass/Volume] In Serum Or Plasma