Preferred Sample Type
Suitable Specimen Types
- Special Collection Procedures Apply
Turnaround Time
6-8 WeeksPTH Related Peptide (PTHrp)
General Information
**PTHrP is temporarily unavailable due to issues at our referral laboratory**
Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is a family of protein hormones produced by various tissues in the body and predominantly associated with hypercalcaemia of malignancy
PTHrP is of most use in hypercalcaemic patients in whom the PTH is suppressed and malignancy is suspected.
PTHrP is found at levels above the reference range in patients with hypercalcaemia of malignancy with varying frequency according to tumour type. It is most frequently elevated in hypercalcaemia in patients with solid tumours and is above the reference range in 85% of such patients with breast tumours, 70% of those with tumours of lung and renal tract origin and 27% of those with gastrointestinal tract tumours.
Notes
SPECIMEN COLLECTION PROCEDURES
USERS must contact the Duty Biochemist (bleep 2506) before specimen collection to get PTHrP collection tubes. Tubes must be stored on ice prior to collection, and transported to the lab on ice immediately following collection - specimens should be processed within 30 minutes of collection.
LABORATORY: PTHrP collection tubes are obtained from the reference laboratory. A supply is kept in the freezer in specimen reception. Arrange for more tubes to be obtained when there is only one remaining.
Specimens should be spun at 4C immediately on receipt, and plasma frozen at -20 ºC.
PTHrP specimens MUST be sent frozen on dry ice by courier to the reference laboratory (same day delivery). Do not send near end of week.
Haemolysed specimens are not suitable for PTHrP analysis.
Reference Range
Provided by reference laboratory.
Specifications
- EQA Scheme?: No
- EQA Status: No scheme available