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HelpTest Code CATN Calcitonin, Serum
Reporting Name
Calcitonin, SUseful For
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.
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Required
Patient Preparation: For 12 hours before specimen collection, patient should not take multivitamins or dietary supplements (eg, hair, skin, and nail supplements) containing biotin (vitamin B7).
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. After collection, immediately place specimen on ice.
2. Refrigerate specimen during centrifugation and immediately transfer serum to a plastic vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.75 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Frozen (preferred) | 90 days | |
| Refrigerated | 24 hours | ||
| Ambient | 8 hours |
Reference Values
Pediatric
1 month: ≤34 pg/mL
2 months: ≤31 pg/mL
3 months: ≤28 pg/mL
4 months: ≤26 pg/mL
5 months: ≤24 pg/mL
6 months: ≤22 pg/mL
7 months: ≤20 pg/mL
8 months: ≤19.0 pg/mL
9 months: ≤17.0 pg/mL
10 months: ≤16.0 pg/mL
11 months: ≤15.0 pg/mL
12-14 months: ≤14.0 pg/mL
15-17 months: ≤12.0 pg/mL
18-20 months: ≤10.0 pg/mL
21-23 months: ≤9.0 pg/mL
2 years: ≤8.0 pg/mL
3-9 years: ≤7.0 pg/mL
10-15 years: ≤6.0 pg/mL
16 years: ≤5.0 pg/mL
Adults
17 years and older:
Males: ≤14.3 pg/mL
Females: ≤7.6 pg/mL
For International System of Units (SI) conversion for Reference Values, see www.mayocliniclabs.com/order-tests/si-unit-conversion.html.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
82308
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| CATN | Calcitonin, S | 1992-7 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| CATN | Calcitonin, S | 1992-7 |
Interpretation
Although most patients with sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) have high basal serum calcitonin concentrations, 30% of those with familial MTC or multiple endocrine neoplasia type II have normal basal levels.
In completely cured cases following surgical therapy for MTC, serum calcitonin levels fall into the undetectable range over a variable period of several weeks. Persistently elevated postoperative serum calcitonin levels usually indicate incomplete cure. The reasons for this can be locoregional lymph node spread or distant metastases. In most of these cases, imaging procedures are required for further workup. Those individuals who are then found to suffer only locoregional spread may benefit from additional surgical procedures. However, the survival benefits derived from such approaches are still debated.
A rise in previously undetectable or very low postoperative serum calcitonin levels is highly suggestive of disease recurrence or spread and should trigger further diagnostic evaluations.
Clinical Reference
1. Wells SA Jr, Asa SL, Dralle H, et al. Revised American Thyroid Association guidelines for the management of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Thyroid. 2015;25(6):567-610
2. Griebeler ML, Gharib H, Thompson GB. Medullary thyroid carcinoma. Endocr Pract. 2013;19(4):703-711
3. Richards ML. Familial syndromes associated with thyroid cancer in the era of personalized medicine. Thyroid. 2010;20(7):707-713
Report Available
1 to 3 daysMethod Name
Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.