PTH Intact

Intact PTH, Intact Human Parathyroid Hormone, PTH, Whole Molecule, Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Intact, PTHG

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB108

Department

Chemistry

Instructions

NOTE: Total Calcium is NOT included with a PTH order. Total calcium (LAB53) can be ordered as a separate test.

Specimen Collection Criteria

INPATIENTS ONLY:

Collect: One dedicated Lavender-top EDTA tube.

NOTE:  Add-on testing is NOT available.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

OUTPATIENTS ONLY:

Collect: One dedicated Lavender-top EDTA tube. Sample should be refrigerated (2°– 8°C or 36°– 46°F) immediately.

NOTE: Samples kept at Room Temperature for longer than 4 hours will not be accurate. Add-on testing is NOT available.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Sample for PTH measurement (Minimum: 2.0 mL) should be transported refrigerated (2°– 8°C or 36°– 46°F).

Rejection Criteria

• Samples that have not been collected and processed as indicated.
• Lipemic, icteric, or hemolyzed specimens.
• Specimens with gross bacterial contamination.

In-Lab Processing

Tubes are placed on the Abbott input / output module for centrifugation and testing by the automated line instruments.

Storage

PTH Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 4 hours for inpatients only.
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 3 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 2 months
Frozen (-70°C/-94°F or below): 11 months

Laboratory

Dearborn Chemistry Laboratory
Farmington Hills Chemistry Laboratory
Grosse Pointe Chemistry Laboratory
Troy Chemistry Laboratory
Royal Oak Automated Chemistry Laboratory
Royal Oak STAT Laboratory

Performed

Monday – Sunday.
Results available within two business days.

Reference Range

PTH: 8.0-72.0 pg/mL.

Test Methodology

PTH: Chemiluminescent Immunoassay.

Interpretation

PTH plays an important role in calcium homeostasis by maintaining the concentration of ionized calcium within the precise limits necessary to achieve metabolic and neuroregulatory functions of this essential mineral. At low levels of blood calcium, parathyroid glands increase secretion of the hormone. This results in mobilization of calcium from the large skeletal stores into the extra-cellular fluid, increased absorption of dietary calcium, and decreased renal clearance of urinary calcium. When blood calcium levels increase, smaller quantities of parathyroid hormone are secreted into the bloodstream.

Clinical Utility

The measurement of PTH is an important aid in the assessment of disorders of calcium metabolism. When evaluated along with calcium levels, the quantitation of PTH has proven useful in distinguishing normal individuals from patients with primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism and non-parathyroid hypercalcemia, including hypercalcemia of malignancy. The intact assay measures PTH amino acid sequence 1-84. N terminal (1-34) and carboxyl (C) terminal (35-84) peptide fragments do not interfere with the intact PTH assay. By eliminating cross reactivity with PTH Related Peptide, (similar peptide structure to N-terminal 1-13) this assay provides a more precise assessment of parathyroid function in patients with renal disease and in patients with age-related glomerular filtration diseases. Intact PTH values will be elevated in primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism and suppressed in patients with hypercalcemia of malignancy.

CPT Codes

83970 (PTH).

Contacts

Last Updated

8/4/2025