CPT® Code 82308

The CPT® Code 82308 refers to a laboratory test specifically designed to measure the levels of calcitonin in the blood. Calcitonin, which is also known as thyrocalcitonin, is a hormone that is synthesized and secreted by the parafollicular cells, or C-cells, located in the thyroid gland. This hormone plays a crucial role in the regulation of blood calcium levels by inhibiting the breakdown of bone and reducing the tubular reabsorption of calcium and phosphorus in the kidneys. The measurement of calcitonin levels is particularly significant in the context of certain medical conditions. The test may be ordered for the diagnosis and monitoring of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a type of thyroid cancer that arises from the parafollicular cells. Additionally, it can be utilized in the evaluation of leukemia and myeloproliferative disorders, which are conditions characterized by the overproduction of blood cells. Furthermore, the calcitonin test serves as a screening tool for individuals who are at risk for multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2), a genetic syndrome that can lead to various endocrine tumors. To perform this test, a blood sample is collected through a procedure known as venipuncture, which is separately reportable. The serum or plasma obtained from the blood sample is then analyzed using a quantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay, a sensitive and specific method for measuring hormone levels in the laboratory.