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Test ID: Calcitonin
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Calcitonin
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Useful For
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Diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving the thyroid and parathyroid glands, including carcinoma and hyperparathyroidism in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory findings.
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Method name and description
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Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA): Sandwich principle
Measurement of antigen or antibody based on the change in electrochemiluminescence (ECL) signal before and after immunoreaction. Results are determined automatically by the software by comparing the electrochemiluminescence signal obtained from the reaction product of the sample with the signal of the cutoff value previously obtained by calibration.
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Clinical information
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Human calcitonin (hCT) which is secreted primarily by the parafollicular C cells of the thyroid gland is metabolized in the liver and kidney and regulated by serum calcium levels. Physiologically hCT has effects on calcium and phosphorus metabolism. It is an inhibitor of bone resorption to prevent bone loss at times of calcium stress (e.g. pregnancy, lactation and growth). In general hCT serum levels are higher in men than in women whereas smoking may lead to an additional increase in serum calcitonin levels.
The most prominent clinical syndrome associated with a disordered hypersecretion of hCT is the medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a tumor of the calcitonin secreting cells of the thyroid, which comprises 5‑10 % of all thyroid cancers.
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Specimen type / Specimen volume / Specimen container
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Specimen type: Serum, Plasma
Minimum volume of sample: 1 mL
Serum: Plain tube (red or yellow top)
Plasma: Li‑heparin tube
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Collection instructions / Special Precautions / Timing of collection
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Collect blood by standard venipuncture techniques as per specimen requirements. When processing samples in primary tubes (sample collection systems), follow the instructions of the tube manufacturer
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Storage and transport instructions
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Storage: 4 hours at 20 – 25°C
1 day at 2 – 8°C;
24 months at ‑20 °C (± 5 °C)
Transport: 2-25°C
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Specimen Rejection Criteria
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Grossly hemolyzed, icteric and lipemic samples, wrong collection container, insufficient sample and heat‑inactivated samples
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Biological reference intervals and clinical decision values
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Female: ≤ 1.87 pmol/L
Male: ≤ 2.78 pmol/L
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Factors affecting test performance and result interpretation
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In rare cases, interference due to extremely high titers of antibodies to analyte‑specific antibodies, streptavidin or ruthenium can occur. These effects are minimized by suitable test design.
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Turnaround time / Days and times test performed / Specimen retention time
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Daily (24/7)
Turn-around time:
Routine: One working day
Specimen Retention: 4 days
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