Calcium, Total, Plasma or Serum

CA - NOCO

This test is included in BMPGFR – Basic Metabolic Panel, CMPGFR - Comprehensive Metabolic Panel and RFPGFR-Renal Function Panel.

1.0 mL plasma from Green top (Lithium Heparin)

0.5 mL
Note: For neonate requirements see Neonate Minimum Blood Volumes

1.0 mL serum from Serum Gel or Red Top

Specimen Type	Temperature	Time
Plasma Li Hep	Ambient	5 days
Plasma Li Hep	Refrigerate	5 days
Plasma Li Hep	Frozen	8 months
Serum SST	Ambient	5 days
Serum SST	Refrigerate	5 days
Serum SST	Frozen	8 months
Red Top – Separated*	Ambient	5 days
Red Top – Separated*	Refrigerate	5 days
Red Top – Separated*	Frozen	8 months

 
*Centrifuge and aliquot into a plastic vial.

Gross hemolysis
For NCMC only: Gross lipemia if plasma - Serum specimen needed if Grossly Lipemic

Monday through Sunday; Continuously

Same day

Summit View
            8.5 - 10.1 mg/dL
            Critical value (automatic call-back): <6.6 mg/dL or >12.9 mg/dL

McKee, BFCMC & NCMC
            0-4 years: 9.1 – 10.9 mg/dL
            4-150 years: 8.8 – 10.4 mg/dL
            Critical value (automatic call-back): <6.6 mg/dL or >12.9 mg/dL

Calcium is most abundant mineral element in body with about 99 percent in bones primarily as hydroxyapatite. Remaining calcium is distributed between various tissues and extracellular fluids where it performs a vital role for many life sustaining processes. Among extra skeletal functions of calcium are involvement in blood coagulation, neuromuscular conduction, excitability of skeletal and cardiac muscle, enzyme activation, and preservation of cell membrane integrity and permeability.

Serum calcium levels and hence body content are believed to be controlled by parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin, and vitamin D. Imbalance in any of these modulators leads to alterations of body and serum calcium levels. Increases in serum PTH or vitamin D are ususally associated with hypercalcemia. Increased serum calcium levels may also be observed in multiple myeloma and other neoplastic diseases. Hypocalcemia may be observed in hypoparathyroidism, steatorrhea, nephrosis, and pancreatitis.