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Calcium
MessageChemistry
Test Code
LAB53
Alias/See Also
CA
CPT Codes
82310
Includes
Calcium
Preferred Specimen
Light green top tube (lithium heparin plasma)
Minimum Volume
Whole blood: 600 uL ( one full light-green-top microtainer or two full red-top microtainers).
Serum/plasma: 300 uL plasma.
Serum/plasma: 300 uL plasma.
Other Acceptable Specimens
Gold top (serum separator tube) or Red Top
Instructions
LAB: Serum acceptable. If testing is delayed beyond 4 hours, Separate specimen, avoid contaimination and evaporation, and refrigerate. Freeze for longer storage. Specimen should be at Ambient: prior to analysis.
Specimen Stability
Ambient: up to 4 hours
Refrigerated: 22 days
Frozen up to 1 year
Refrigerated: 22 days
Frozen up to 1 year
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Blood from patients receiving Hypaque radiographic contrast agent cannot be used.
Suramin, an antiparasitic drug, has been reported to cause a bias of -10% in calcium results at a suramin concentration of 300 μg/mL.
Suramin, an antiparasitic drug, has been reported to cause a bias of -10% in calcium results at a suramin concentration of 300 μg/mL.
FDA Status
Approved
Setup Schedule
Everyday
Report Available
Same day
Limitations
Keeping the sample in an open container at Ambient: may increase the reported calcium concentration by up to 0.4 mg/dL (0.1 mmol/L). Changes are due to the loss of carbon dioxide, which results in an increase in pH of the specimen. The increase is minimized by
anaerobic handling procedures and prompt analysis. Adherence to these procedures is especially important for pediatric samples where the sample volume is small.
anaerobic handling procedures and prompt analysis. Adherence to these procedures is especially important for pediatric samples where the sample volume is small.
Reference Range
8.4 - 10.2 mg/dl
Performing Laboratory
Hoag Newport/ Hoag Irvine
