What is Calcitonin ?
The Calcitonin test measures the level of calcitonin, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Calcitonin helps regulate calcium levels in the blood by inhibiting bone resorption, though it plays a relatively minor role in calcium balance compared to other hormones. This test is particularly valuable as a marker for certain types of thyroid cancer. Clinicians may order a Calcitonin test to: Diagnose medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC): Elevated calcitonin levels are a significant marker for medullary thyroid carcinoma, a rare form of thyroid cancer. Testing for calcitonin aids in early diagnosis and monitoring. Screen for genetic risk in familial cases: In families with a history of MTC, the calcitonin test can help screen for early signs of cancer, as certain genetic mutations increase the risk of developing MTC. Monitor treatment and recurrence in MTC patients: For patients undergoing treatment for medullary thyroid carcinoma, calcitonin levels help evaluate the success of therapy and detect any recurrence of the cancer. Investigate symptoms of thyroid disorders: Elevated calcitonin may indicate thyroid abnormalities, prompting further examination of the thyroid’s health and function. Assess calcium and bone health in certain cases: Though not typically used for general calcium or bone assessments, calcitonin can sometimes provide additional insights into calcium regulation, especially when other markers are inconclusive.
Calcitonin Report Format: Breakdown
Here’s what an ideal Calcitonin report format should include:
Header Information:
- Patient Details: Full name, Age, Gender, and ID.
- TAT information: Timestamp for both sample collection and report generation.
- Doctor's Information: Name of the referral doctor, if applicable.
Test Results Section:
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Patient's results
As obvious as it is, a test report should definitely have the patient's test result.
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Result's Unit
The unit of the test result must be mentioned correctly in the report. Calcitonin test is generally reported in “pg/mL”
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Calcitonin Normal Value / Reference Range
The report must have the normal Calcitonin range. It can differ slightly based on the reagents used by the lab and other internal factors, but common Calcitonin ranges are:
< 18 pg/mL
Interpretations
Nowadays, most labs prefer to add interpretations to the reports, making the report more patient-friendly. Labsmart software has interpretations of all routine test pre-filled in the software.
Footer Section:
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Certifications:
Display any relevant accreditations (e.g., NABL, ISO), adding to your lab's credibility.
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Pathologist and technician signature:
It's mandatory to add a Pathologist and technician signature to the report.
Calcitonin Interpretation
In Labsmart software, this is the inbuilt interpretation for Calcitonin
Importance of adding interpretation to reports:
It's very helpful to add interpretation in reports as it makes the reports more patient friendly and also helpful to doctors in some cases. Moreover, presently most labs prefer providing reports with interpretation. Thus, adding interpretation to report will help your lab stay at par with other competitor labs.
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- Auto calculation where needed
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Calcitonin MS Word format
Download the Ms word editable Calcitonin report format for offline reporting.
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