Age-specific Reference Intervals of Abbott Intact PTH-Potential Impacts on Clinical Care

PTH assays are not standardized; therefore, method-specific PTH reference intervals are required for interpretation of results. PTH increases with age in adults but age-related reference intervals for the Abbott intact PTH (iPTH) assay are not available.

Deidentified serum PTH results from September 2015 to November 2022 were retrieved from the laboratory information system of a laboratory serving a cosmopolitan population in central-west England for individuals aged 18 years and older if the estimated glomerular filtration rate was ≥60 mL/min, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was >50 nmol/L, and serum albumin-adjusted calcium and serum phosphate were within reference intervals. Age-specific reference intervals for Abbott iPTH were derived by an indirect method using the refineR algorithm.

PTH increased with age and correlated with age when controlled for 25-hydroxyvitamin D, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and adjusted calcium (r = 0.093, P < .001). The iPTH age-specific reference intervals for 4 age partitions of 18 to 45 years, 46 to 60 years, 61 to 80 years, and 81 to 95 years were 1.6 to 8.6 pmol/L, 1.8 to 9.5 pmol/L, 2.0 to 11.3 pmol/L, and 2.3 to 12.3 pmol/L, respectively. PTH was higher in women compared with men (P < .001). Sex-specific age-related reference intervals could not be derived because of the limited sample size.

Age-specific Abbott iPTH reference intervals were derived. Application of age-specific reference intervals will impact the diagnosis and management of normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism, based on current definitions, and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Additional studies are required to clarify the effect of sex and ethnicity on PTH.