| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Calcitonin
MessageSendout, Mayo test code: CATN
Test Code
LAB519
Alias/See Also
CT (Calcitonin) Thyrocalcitonin
CATN
CATN
CPT Codes
82308
Preferred Specimen
1 mL serum from a gold serum gel tube
Patient Preparation
For the 12 hours before specimen collection, do not take multivitamins or dietary supplements containing biotin (vitamin B7), which is commonly found in hair, skin, and nail supplements and multivitamins.
Minimum Volume
0.75 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Red tube
Instructions
1. After collection, immediately place specimen on ice.
2. LAB: Refrigerate specimen during centrifugation and immediately transfer serum to a plastic vial.
2. LAB: Refrigerate specimen during centrifugation and immediately transfer serum to a plastic vial.
Transport Container
Plastic vial
Transport Temperature
Frozen
Specimen Stability
Frozen (preferred): 90 days
Refrigerated: 24 hours
Ambient: 4 hours
Refrigerated: 24 hours
Ambient: 4 hours
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Hemolysis: Mild OK; Gross reject
Lipemia: Mild OK; Gross OK
Lipemia: Mild OK; Gross OK
Methodology
Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay
FDA Status
Approved
Setup Schedule
Monday through Friday
Report Available
1-3 days
Limitations
Calcitonin is a polypeptide hormone secreted by the parafollicular cells (also referred to as calcitonin cells or C cells) of the thyroid gland. The main action of calcitonin is the inhibition of bone resorption by regulating the number and activity of osteoclasts. Calcitonin is secreted in direct response to serum hypercalcemia and may prevent large oscillations in serum calcium levels and excessive loss of body calcium. However, in comparison to parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, the role of calcitonin in the regulation of serum calcium in humans is minor. Measurements of serum calcitonin levels are, therefore, not useful in the diagnosis of disorders of calcium homeostasis.
Malignant tumors arising from thyroid C cells (medullary thyroid carcinoma: MTC) usually produce elevated levels of calcitonin. MTC is an uncommon malignant thyroid tumor, comprising less than 5% of all thyroid malignancies. Approximately 25% of these are familial cases, usually appearing as a component of multiple endocrine neoplasia type II (MENII, Sipple syndrome). MTC may also occur in families without other associated endocrine dysfunction, with similar autosomal dominant transmission as MENII, which is then called familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC). Variants in the RET proto-oncogene are associated with MENII and FMTC.
Serum calcitonin concentrations are high in infants, decline rapidly, and are relatively stable from childhood through adult life. In general, calcitonin serum concentrations are higher in men than in women due to the larger C-cell mass in men. Serum calcitonin concentrations may be increased in patients with chronic renal failure, and other conditions such as hyperparathyroidism, leukemic and myeloproliferative disorders, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis, small cell and large cell lung cancers, breast and prostate cancer, mastocytosis, and various neuroendocrine tumors, in particular, islet cell tumors.
Malignant tumors arising from thyroid C cells (medullary thyroid carcinoma: MTC) usually produce elevated levels of calcitonin. MTC is an uncommon malignant thyroid tumor, comprising less than 5% of all thyroid malignancies. Approximately 25% of these are familial cases, usually appearing as a component of multiple endocrine neoplasia type II (MENII, Sipple syndrome). MTC may also occur in families without other associated endocrine dysfunction, with similar autosomal dominant transmission as MENII, which is then called familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC). Variants in the RET proto-oncogene are associated with MENII and FMTC.
Serum calcitonin concentrations are high in infants, decline rapidly, and are relatively stable from childhood through adult life. In general, calcitonin serum concentrations are higher in men than in women due to the larger C-cell mass in men. Serum calcitonin concentrations may be increased in patients with chronic renal failure, and other conditions such as hyperparathyroidism, leukemic and myeloproliferative disorders, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis, small cell and large cell lung cancers, breast and prostate cancer, mastocytosis, and various neuroendocrine tumors, in particular, islet cell tumors.
Reference Range
Included with report
Clinical Significance
Aids in the diagnosis and follow-up of medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Aids in the evaluation of multiple endocrine neoplasia type II and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma.
This test is not useful for evaluating calcium metabolic diseases.
Aids in the evaluation of multiple endocrine neoplasia type II and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma.
This test is not useful for evaluating calcium metabolic diseases.
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Rochester, Minnesota
Additional Information
Calcitonin, Serum
