Why must anticoagulants like oxalate and citrate not be used in preparation for calcium testing?
Understand the Problem
The question is inquiring about the reasons why anticoagulants like oxalate and citrate should not be used when preparing samples for calcium testing. It likely addresses the interaction between these anticoagulants and calcium measurement.
Answer
They chelate calcium, causing low test results.
Anticoagulants like oxalate and citrate should not be used for calcium testing because they chelate calcium ions, reducing their concentration in the blood sample and leading to inaccurately low calcium test results.
Answer for screen readers
Anticoagulants like oxalate and citrate should not be used for calcium testing because they chelate calcium ions, reducing their concentration in the blood sample and leading to inaccurately low calcium test results.
More Information
Citrate and oxalate bind to calcium ions, preventing them from contributing to the concentration measured during testing of calcium levels in the blood. This can significantly alter the test results, rendering them unreliable.
Tips
A common mistake is assuming any anticoagulant is suitable for all tests. Always select anticoagulants based on the specific requirements of the test.
Sources
- Ionized calcium: analytical challenges and clinical relevance - jlpm.amegroups.org
- Calcium Citrate - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics - sciencedirect.com
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