Test Code CALCM Calcium, Plasma or Serum
Methodology
Colorimetric, O-Cresolphthalein ComplexonePerforming Laboratory
Aspen Valley HospitalSpecimen Requirements
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Preferred:
Plasma
Container/Tube: Light green-top (lithium heparin gel) tube(s)
Specimen: 2 mL (minimum volume: 1 mL) of lithium heparin plasma
Transport Temperature: Ambient
Collection Instructions: Spin down immediately and send entire tube to laboratory. If there is a delay in transport of >8 hours, send specimen refrigerated.
Note: 1. Indicate plasma on request form.
2. Label specimen appropriately (plasma).
Alternate:
Serum
Container/Tube: Gold-top serum gel tube(s) or orange-top tube(s) - Plain, red-top tube is also acceptable.
Specimen: 2 mL (minimum volume: 1 mL) of serum
Transport Temperature: Ambient
Collection Instructions: Allow specimen to clot for approximately 10 minutes and spin down. If drawing gold-top serum gel tube, send entire tube to laboratory. If drawing orange-top tube or plain, red-top tube, remove serum and place in separate plastic vial. If there is a delay in transport of >8 hours, send specimen refrigerated.
Note: 1. Indicate serum on request form.
2. Label specimen appropriately (serum).
Reference Values
0 days-1 month: 7.0-12.0 mg/dL1 month-2 years: 9.0-12.0 mg/dL
≥2 years: 8.2-10.0 mg/dL
Critical values (automatic call-back): <6.6 mg/dL or >13.0 mg/dL