Assays / Hormones / Parathyroid Hormone - Intact (plasma, serum)

Clinical Use
1 Differential diagnosis of hypercalcaemia.

2 Assessment of parathyroid activity in patients with chronic renal failure.

3 Monitoring of patients with hyperparathyroidism secondary to vitamin D deficiency or malabsorption.

Applications
1 Hypercalcaemia.
The high sensitivity now available (down to 0.2 pmol/L) permits good discrimination between normal subjects, patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and patients with malignant disease and hypercalcaemia.

2 Renal failure.
This assay enables identification of the patient at risk from renal osteodystrophy and provides the means of monitoring response to therapy.

3 Hyperparathyroidism secondary to vitamin D deficiency.
Hypocalcaemia and subsequent secondary hyperparathyroidism can be associated with vitamin D deficiency. Diagnosis and monitoring of treatment with vitamin D analogues may be made using the PTH assay.

Patient Preparation
Whilst the patient is fasting, take blood (5 mL). Red topped vacutainers may be used.

Sample Preparation
Transfer the blood (5 mL) to a plain tube and transfer to the laboratory on ice. Allow to clot for up to lh. Transfer the serum to a plastic tube (preferably 12 x 75 mm). Send a portion to the local laboratory for measurement of calcium. Store the remainder at -20C.

Send the frozen sample (2 mL) to the appropriate SAS laboratory. Ensure the sample remains frozen during transport. Record on the SAS request form the plasma/ serum calcium concentration.

Reference Ranges (Adult)

0.9 - 5.4 pmol/L	Cardiff
1.1 - 6.8 pmol/L	London (Hammersmith)
10 - 65 ng/L	Newcastle

Centres offering this assay

• Plasma: Cardiff.
• Serum: Cardiff, London (Hammersmith), Newcastle.

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