Test Code CA Calcium, Total, Serum
Reporting Name
Calcium, Total, SPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in RochesterUseful For
Diagnosis and monitoring of a wide range of disorders including diseases of bone, kidney, parathyroid gland, or gastrointestinal tract
Method Name
Photometric
Necessary Information
Patient's age is required.
Specimen Required
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. If drawing for more than total calcium, send first tube drawn.
2. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
3. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum | Frozen (preferred) | 240 days | |
Refrigerated | 21 days |
Reject Due To
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Gross lipemia | OK |
Reference Values
<1 year: 8.7-11.0 mg/dL
1-17 years: 9.3-10.6 mg/dL
18-59 years: 8.6-10.0 mg/dL
≥60 years: 8.8-10.2 mg/dL
Interpretation
Hypocalcemia:
Long-term therapy must be tailored to the specific disease causing the hypocalcemia. The therapeutic endpoint is to achieve a serum calcium level of 8.0 to 8.5 mg/dL to prevent tetany. For symptomatic hypocalcemia, calcium may be administered intravenously.
Hypercalcemia:
The level at which hypercalcemic symptoms occur varies from patient to patient. Symptoms are common when serum calcium levels are above 11.5 mg/dL, although patients may be asymptomatic at this level. Levels above 12.0 mg/dL are considered a critical value. Severe hypercalcemia (>15.0 mg/dL) is a medical emergency.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
Same day/1 to 2 daysTest 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
82310
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
CA | Calcium, Total, S | 17861-6 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
CA | Calcium, Total, S | 17861-6 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Renal Diagnostics Test Request (T830) with the specimen.