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Auckland Te Toka Tumai

Test Guide

Parathyroid Hormone

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

PARA

Test Code (Numeric Code)

3670

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Intraoperative PTH assays must be arranged with the Section Head of Automation, LabPlus (ext 22118, or contact via LabLink ext 22000) at least one day before the operation. The turnaround time is approximately 35 minutes from receipt of the sample. Hand deliver samples to ensure no transport delays.

Test Adds Requirement

Intraoperative PTH Assays: Lablink: Note requirements under Specimen Collection in regards to arranging this test request.Please refer calls related to these samples to the Automation Section Leader or a Technical Specialist so that the correct tracking form can be filled out.

Sample Stability

Stability of PTH in plain, EDTA or heparin tubes (less than 10% change): Unseparated : Serum - centrifuged immediately due to instability. Plasma - up to 6h at room temperature Separated : Serum sample stability - 8 hr at 15-25°C , 2 days at 2-8°C, 6 months and -20°C

Synonyms

PTH

Turnaround Time

3 hours

Specimen Type

Plasma
Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)

Acceptable

EDTA (Lavender Cap)
Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
Plain (Red Top)

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Heparin (Microtainer)

Acceptable

Plain(Microtainer)
SST(Microtainer)

Pre-testing Requirements

Intraoperative PTH assays must be arranged with the Section Head of Automation, LabPlus (ext 22118, or contact via LabLink ext 22000) at least one day before the operation.

The turnaround time is approximately 35 minutes from receipt of the sample.

Hand deliver samples to ensure no transport delays.

Additional Specimen Information

5 mL Adult PST Plasma (Preferred)
EDTA 4 mL EDTA Blood
Heparin 5 mL Adult Heparin Plasma
Plain 4 mL Adult Plain Serum
SST 3.5 mL Adult SST Blood
Micro-EDTA 0.5 mL Paediatric Micro-EDTA Blood
Micro-PST 0.5 mL Paediatric Micro-PST Plasma

Diagnostic Use

Hypercalcemia with raised or normal PTH : primary or tertiary hyperparathyroidism

Hypercalcemia with low PTH : Hyprcalcemia of malignancy (PTHrP-mediated), myeloma, sarcoidosis, vitamin D overdosage, milk-alkali syndrome

Hypocalcemia with raised PTH : Renal failure, Vitamin D or calcium deficiency (rickets, osteomalacia), pseudohypoparathyroidism (PTH resistance)

Hypocalcemia with low or normal PTH : hypoparathyroidism

References

Stokes, F. J., P. Ivanov, et al. (2011). “The effects of sampling procedures and storage conditions on short-term stability of blood-based biochemical markers of bone metabolism.” Clin Chem 57 (1): 138-140.

Interpretation

Parathyroid hormone in other fluids

Turnaround time :

Within 1 week

Important note:

This test is not routinely available at LabPLUS. Please contact the chemical pathologist prior to collection of the sample (usually a prearranged ultrasound-guided procedure). Urgent testing, e.g. during parathyroid surgery, is not available.

The method for measuring PTH at LabPlus is also not formally validated in saline and LabPlus cannot provide reference intervals. Individual results should be considered cautiously, taking into account the clinical context and the results of other investigations.

Diagnostic use and interpretation :

In selected cases, a fine needle aspiration (FNA) may be performed to determine if a mass represents parathyroid tissue. A specialist may request parathyroid hormone (PTH) testing in saline used to wash the needle. There is limited good quality evidence available, but PTH testing sometimes appears to be a useful but imperfect addition to cytology.

Specimen collection :

Collection processes vary widely in the literature. We recommend:

Washing the FNA needle with saline only
Clearly indicating on the test form the number of needles used, volume of saline used
Clearly indicate the site of collection of each specimen (if more than one specimen)
Indicate the name of the chemical pathologist that accepted the request
Record time and date of collection
If the sample will arrive at LabPLUS within 4 hours of collection, transport promptly at room temperature. if >4hrs, send frozen

Stability :

LabPLUS has not formally investigated the stability of PTH in saline, however it has been reported to be around 4 hours by Mayo Clinic. Prompt delivery to the lab is required for best results.

Reference Intervals

Units: pmol/L

Reference range: 1.7 – 7.3

Uncertainty of Measurement: 0.6pmol/L at level of 3 pmol/L

10% at levels of 10 pmol/L or higher

Conversion factor : ng/L x 0.106 = pmol/L

Last updated: 31/03/2026

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Parathyroid Hormone

Testing Laboratory

Department

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

Test Code (Numeric Code)

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Test Adds Requirement

Sample Stability

Synonyms

Turnaround Time

Specimen Type

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Pre-testing Requirements

Additional Specimen Information

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

Diagnostic Use

Interpretation

Parathyroid hormone in other fluids

Reference Intervals

Non-Funded Test Cost

Additional Costing Information

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

Search tests

Parathyroid Hormone

Overview

Testing Laboratory

Department

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

Test Code (Numeric Code)

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Test Adds Requirement

Sample Stability

Synonyms

Turnaround Time

Specimen

Specimen Type

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Pre-testing Requirements

Additional Specimen Information

Referral

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

Clinical Information/Test Method

Diagnostic Use

Interpretation

Parathyroid hormone in other fluids

Reference Intervals

Price

Non-Funded Test Cost

Additional Costing Information

Additional Information

Contact Information

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

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