Calcitonin

Chemical Pathology

Notes

Plasma calcitonin is indicated in the investigation and monitoring of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MTC).

Some cases of MTC arise due to an inherited mutation in the RET oncogene that leads to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, an autosomal dominant inherited syndrome which can involve other diseases including phaeochromocytoma and hyperparathyroidism.

The sensitivity of calcitonin when diagnosing MTC is improved by using the pentagastrin stimulation test, which may detect early tumour or hyperplasia before levels are raised in basal samples (this has been superseded in familial studies by RET oncogene analysis).

Basal calcitonin levels may be adequate for monitoring surgical interventions and for follow-up.

Sample requirements

If gut hormone profile also required then patients must have fasted for 10 hours.

Please alert the laboratory before collecting sample. Samples require centrifugation within 15 minutes of sampling so need to be dealt with immediately.

For adults, 5 ml of blood taken using a plastic syringe into a narrow gold top tube (or rust top for the Acute Unit).

Storage/transport

Do not store. Samples must be brought immediately to the laboratory.

Required information

Relevant clinical details including whether the test is being used for baseline or for follow-up. Fasting status of the patient is also useful information for result interpretation.

Turnaround times

The samples are sent frozen by courier once a week to King's College Hospital, London, with results expected back within 3 weeks.

Reference ranges

• Male: Less than 11.8 ng/L
  
• Female: Less than 4.6 ng/L

Further information

To find out more about calcitonin access Lab Tests OnLine

Page last updated 03/04/2019