Ionized Calcium

Message

Chemistry

Test Code

LAB54

Alias/See Also

Calcium, Ionized
Ca2++

CPT Codes
82330

Includes

Ionized Calcium
pH

Preferred Specimen

Light green top tube, Lithium Heparin

Minimum Volume

Tube must be at least half full (2mL whole blood)

Instructions

-For Ionized Calcium orders draw separate Light Green Top Tube.
-Ionized Calcium cannot be combined with other tests and requires a separate tube.
-Other tests requiring Light Green Top Tube (e.g. BMP, CMP, Mg, Phos, Troponin, etc.) will require a different, additional tube drawn.
-Do not add patient labels for any other tests either on the tube or in the specimen bag.
-Single Light Green Top Tubes received in the laboratory with orders for both Ionized Calcium and other tests will require a patient redraw.

Transport Temperature

Ambient

Specimen Stability

Ambient: 2 hours
Refrigeratred: 2 hours

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Clotted, contaminated, not enough volume, microtainer (must be anaerobic).

FDA Status
Approved

Limitations

Keeping the sample in an open container at Ambient temperature 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.

Reference Range

Include Normal (age, male, female) and Linearity ranges:

Ionized Calcium: 1.10 – 1.38 mmol/L
pH: Not Established

Performing Laboratory
Hoag Newport / Hoag Irvine

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.