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Test Code PTHB Parathyroid Hormone

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Plasma

Preferred Specimen: Lavender Top

Other Acceptable specimens: None

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room Temperature

2 days

Refrigerated

3 days 

Frozen

6 months 

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

 

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

  • Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 
  • Send whole blood to the laboratory for analysis. 

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
  • Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  • Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen.
  • Samples must be sent room temperature at 20-25oC.

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 
  • Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
  • Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours

Reference Values

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

Parathryroid Hormone

All

All

15 - 75 pg/mL

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory. 

 

STAT Turnaround Time: Not available as STAT test

Routine Turnaround Time: up to 4 hours

Testing Schedule:  24/7

Clinical Indications

PTH can be useful in aiding the differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia.

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) (Roche Diagnostics)

CPT Codes

83970

LOINC Codes

TBD

Synonyms/Keyword Search

PTH, Parathyroid hormone intact, PTI

Last Review Date

6/4/25

Critical Values

Not applicable 

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Test Components

Parathyroid hormone

Additional Information

  • There is no high-dose hook effect at PTH concentrations up to 17,000 pg/mL.
  • This test may be affected by biotin interference. Patients on high dose biotin (5mg/day or more) should not have samples drawn until at least 24 hours after the last biotin administration.