Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Testing Laboratory

Waitematā | Northshore Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

IPTH

Test Code (Numeric Code)

0828

Laboratory Handling

Registration

"E" barcode is required for EDTA samples.

Laboratory

Theatre iPTHs are very urgent. Specimens must be directed to biochemistry for them to deal with entirely.

Sample Stability

72 hours for heparin, 48 hours for SST or 14 days for whole blood EDTA from collection time

Synonyms

PTH
Rapid iPTH
iPTH

Turnaround Time

1 day

Specimen Type

• Plasma
• Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Preferred if Waitākere

• SST II (Gold Cap)

Acceptable

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)
• Plain (Red Top)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

4

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)

Acceptable

• EDTA (Lavender Cap)
• Plain (Red Top)
• SST II (Gold Cap)

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.4

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Test Method

Principle: 2-site Sandwich Immunoassay
Reagents: Siemens Atellica IM LH
Analyser: Siemens Atellica IM

he interpretation of PTH levels is dependent on the patient's corrected calcium, or ionised calcium, at the time the blood specimen was taken.

In hyperparathyroidism the PTH level is increased or inappropriately at the high normal range in the presence of hypercalcaemia.
In most cases of hypercalcaemia associated with malignancy PTH level will be suppressed, often with an elevated PTHrP.

Hypoparathyroidism is associated with a low PTH.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism and other causes of hypocalcaemia are associated with a high PTH.

Effective management of osteodystrophy in chronic renal failure is associated with relatively little rise in PTH.

Contact Information