Test Directory

Can be useful in aiding and assessing the following disorders: Primary Hyperparathyroidism, Hypoparathyroidism, and Non-Parathyroid Hypercalcemia.

Specimen Types: Serum or Plasma

Preferred Collection Container: Light Green Top, Plasma Separator

Alternate Collection Containers:

• Gold Top, Serum Separator
• Red Top, Separator

Minimum Acceptable Volume: 0.8 mL

Tubes with anticoagulant: To ensure accurate test results, all tubes containing an anticoagulant or preservative must be allowed to fill completely. Attempts to force more blood into the tube by exerting pressure, as in collection with a syringe, will result in damage to the red cells (hemolysis).

Separator tubes: Contains clot activator and gel for separating serum from cells, but not anticoagulant. Separate serum from cells as soon as the clot has formed (30 minutes). If specimen is centrifuged before clotting is complete, a fibrin clot will form on top of the cell. This may cause the gel barrier to not be intact and could cause improper separation of serum and cells, possibly affecting test results.

*Gold Top Separator tubes must be processed*

1. Centrifuge specimen.
2. Transfer serum to plastic aliquot tube labeled serum.
3. Freeze at -20C.

Light Green Top transport to the laboratory refrigerated.

Gold Top transport to the laboratory frozen.

HNL Lab Medicine Chemistry Reference Intervals

PTH, Intact