| Test Name: | Calcium | | |
| Epic Order Code: | LAB53 | | |
| CPT Code: | 82310 | | |
| Specimen(s) Type: | Plasma or Serum | | |
| Acceptable Container(s): |   Tops are light green and gold. |
| Testing Schedule: | 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week |
| Turn Around Time: | STAT: 1 hour | | |
| | Routine: 2 hours | | |
| Collection Information: | No special patient preparation is required. Obtain specimen by standard collection procedures. |
| Transport Information: | Deliver to lab immediately. All specimens must be signed into the laboratory. |
| Reference Clients: | If unable to deliver to the lab within 1 hour, centrifuge the specimen and remove plasma/serum from the red cells. Store and transport at 2-8° C. Specimen must be received in the lab within 24 hours. |
| Causes for Rejection: | Improperly labeled, incorrect container, contaminated, insufficient quantity, incorrect/delay in transport. |
| Reference Range: | 8.6 - 10.2 mg/dL | |
| Additional Information: | Test included in BMP, CMP and Renal Panel. Intravenously administered contrast media for MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) contain chelating complexes which may interfere with the determination of calcium. A sharp decrease in calcium values was observed when gadodiamide (GdDTPA-BMA) was administered. Follow the instructions of the manufacturer with regard to the retention time of the contrast medium. |