Parathyroid Hormone Related Peptide, Plasma

Diagnostic Use

Requests for this test will be vetted by a chemical pathologist and will be rejected if insufficient relevant clinical information is provided.

PTHrP may be of value in the investigation of PTH-independent hypercalcaemia.

Department

Endocrinology Lab

Delphic Registration Code

PTRP

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

Special tube required

Separating

Must be centrifuged within 15 minutes and frozen

Synonyms

PTHrP

Turnaround Time

16 weeks

Test Code

6529

Specimen Type

• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Please refer to Additional Information below

Preferred if West Coast

• Please refer to Additional Information below

Additional Specimen Information

Pre-Testing Requirements - Obtain special tube from Endolab. Store frozen until use.

Draw the blood sample with a syringe & needle and then transfer about 3ml of the blood from the syringe to the green labelled PTHrP cocktail tube and mix the contents gently with 4 or 5 inversions. AS soon as possible centrifuge and transfer the plasma to the black labelled plastic aliquot tube provided (labelled "PTHrP plasma only") within 15 minutes of collection. Store and transport frozen.

Note: the PTHrP cocktail tube should be used straight from the freezer - no warming or heating required.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.3

Transport to Lab

Frozen
If overnight - Frozen

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Minimum 0.3mL special plasma. Preferably 0.5 mL special plasma. Separate and freeze within 15 minutes of collection.

West Coast: Rural collection sites without the ability to separate and freeze plasma and transport frozen samples need to consider sending patient to a main centre for collection to ensure sample integrity.

Interpretation

In the correct context, an elevated PTHrP may support a diagnosis of humoral hypercalcaemia of malignancy.

Elevated PTHrP is also seen during pregnancy and lactation, and should not be requested in these settings.

Reference Intervals

Lower reference limit: <1.5 pmol/L

Test Method

Beckman Coulter PTHrp IRMA

Non-Funded Test Cost

$149.93 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

6529

PTHrP is rapidly destroyed by plasma enzymes. Blood must be collected and then mixed in a special tube containing a cocktail of enzyme inhibitors. Perform all separation, aliquoting and freezing steps as quickly as possible. PTHrP said to be stable at least 4 months at -20°C

Contact Information

Enquiry Form