CALCIUM

Mnemonic

Synonym

Ca - Ca++ - CaT - Calcium Total

Specimen Collection Requirements

Collect

Serum or Plasma, one 5.0 mL gold (SST), 7.0 mL red or 3.0 mL mint green (lithium heparin, PST) top tube

Handling

Allow serum to clot completely at room temperature (minimum: 30 minutes). Centrifuge and separate serum or plasma from cells within 1 hour of collection.

Preferred Volume

0.5 mL

Minimum Volume

0.2 mL

Transport

Refrigerated (2-8°C)

Rejection Criteria

Grossly hemolyzed specimens or specimens with EDTA, sodium citrate, sodium flouride or oxalate anticoagulants

Stability

SERUM OR PLASMA AFTER SEPARATION FROM CELLS: Ambient: (15-25°C): 7 days; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 22 days; Frozen (at or below -20°C): 1 year

Testing Information

Performed

7 days/week

Method

Colorimetry

Referral Lab

Samaritan Health Services Laboratories

Reference Values

Reference Values

ADULTS (≥12 years): 8.4-10.2 mg/dL
Age adjusted ranges.

Critical Values

Low: <6.5 mg/dL
High: >13.0 mg/d

CPT Codes

82310

Last Updated: Thursday, January 5, 2017 03:42:01 AM