Synonyms |
|
Procollagen,
PIIINP, P3NP
|
Clinical
Indications |
|
Monitoring
for hepatic fibrosis, particularly in patients receiving
methotrexate treatment who should be checked at three to six
month intervals.
|
|
Request
Form |
|
Combined Pathology Blood form
(Yellow/Black)
|
Availability |
|
Analysed by referral
laboratory if specific criteria met.
|
Specific
Criteria |
|
Patient
on methotrexate therapy
|
Turnaround
Time |
|
Two to
three weeks
|
Specimen |
|
Serum
|
Volume |
|
2 mL
|
Container |
|
Red
or pink top (plain) tube. Yellow top (SST) tubes must not be
used.
|
Collection |
|
Samples should be transported to laboratory immediately.
|
Lab.
Handling |
|
Separate
immediately, aliquot and store at 4C
|
Causes
for Rejection |
|
Unlabelled
sample; delay in reaching the laboratory; sample in SST tube;
assay performed within the previous three months
|
Reference
Range |
|
Age
related: high levels in young people due to growth
|
|
|
Adult (20 - 65 years) 1.7 - 4.2
µg/L |
|
|
PIIINP is a sensitive indicator
of hepatic fibrosis, but may be raised in other conditions,
particularly active connective tissue disease. |
|
|
A liver biopsy should be
considered if there are three PIIINP levels above 4.2 ug/L or
two levels above 8.0 ug/L over a 12 month period. A liver
biopsy should also be considered if the pre-treatment level is
above 8.0 ug/L. |