Turnaround times
The quoted turnaround time is from sample receipt in the laboratory, to results authorisation in the Laboratory Information Management system. The times do not include transport of specimen to the laboratory or the administrative process to print and post/email reports. Service users must allow for transport and reporting time when ordering tests.
Clinical background:
PTH plays an important role in calcium homeostasis by maintaining the concentration of ionised calcium. As the serum calcium falls the parathyroid glands are stimulated to secrete PTH resulting in the mobilisation of calcium from skeletal stores, increasing the absorption of dietary calcium and decreasing renal clearance of urinary calcium.In conjunction with calcium levels , PTH levels are useful to distinguish primary hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism and patients with hypercalcaemia of malignancy.
Specimen container paediatric:
EDTA plasma
Specimen container adult:
EDTA plasma
Minimum volume paediatric:
0.5 mL blood
Minimum volume adult:
1 mL blood
Sample stability:
Unseparated sample: 24 hours
Separated sample:
6 hours at 15 to 25°C,
3 days at 2-8°C,
4 months at -20°C
Reference ranges:
Adult 1.1 to 6.4 pmol/L (with normal calcium)