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23225 N-Telopeptide X-Link, Serum (SNTX)

N-Telopeptide X-Link, Serum (SNTX)
Test Code: NTXBSO
Synonyms/Keywords
NTx Serum
Test Components
N-Terminal Telolpeptide
Useful For

Monitoring effectiveness of antiresorptive therapy in patients treated for osteoporosis or other metabolic bone disorders

As an adjunct in the diagnosis of medical conditions associated with increased bone turnover

Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
Serum​ ​Red Top Tube (RTT) ​Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​0.5 mL ​0.1 mL
Collection Processing Instructions
A morning collection from fasting patients is preferred. If not possible, collect the baseline and subsequent specimens under the same circumstances (eg, at same time of day).
 
Serum N-terminal telopeptide (NTx) should not be used for the screening or diagnosis of osteoporosis. In patients with other clinical conditions known to affect bone resorption (eg; cancer metastases to bone), interpretation of serum NTx for monitoring response to osteoporosis therapy might be unreliable.
 
Do not interchange the Osteomark NTx serum assay values with the Osteomark NTx urine assay values, especially when monitoring therapy.
 
Some patients who have been exposed to animal antigens, either in the environment or as part of treatment or imaging procedures, may have circulating antianimal antibodies present. These antibodies may interfere with the assay reagents to produce unreliable results.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Serum ​ ​Frozen (preferred) ​28 days
​Refrigerated ​24 hours
Rejection Criteria
Gross Hemolysis
​Gross Icterus
 Gross ​Lipemia
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories Tuesday, Thursday 3 days
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)​
Reference Lab
Reference Range Information
All units are reported in nmol Bone Collagen Equivalents (BCE)
Adult (> or =18 years of age)
Males: 5.4-24.2 nmol BCE
Females: Premenopausal: 6.2-19.0 nmol BCE
The target value for postmenopausal adult females undergoing treatment for osteoporosis is the same as the premenopausal reference interval.
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
​82523
Synonyms/Keywords
NTx Serum
Test Components
N-Terminal Telolpeptide
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity ​N-Telopeptide X-Link (FNTPX)
​Cerner ​N-Telopeptide X-Link, Serum (91264)
​COM ​N-Telopeptide X-Link, Serum SO
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
Serum​ ​Red Top Tube (RTT) ​Serum Separator Tube (SST) ​0.5 mL ​0.1 mL
Collection Processing
A morning collection from fasting patients is preferred. If not possible, collect the baseline and subsequent specimens under the same circumstances (eg, at same time of day).
 
Serum N-terminal telopeptide (NTx) should not be used for the screening or diagnosis of osteoporosis. In patients with other clinical conditions known to affect bone resorption (eg; cancer metastases to bone), interpretation of serum NTx for monitoring response to osteoporosis therapy might be unreliable.
 
Do not interchange the Osteomark NTx serum assay values with the Osteomark NTx urine assay values, especially when monitoring therapy.
 
Some patients who have been exposed to animal antigens, either in the environment or as part of treatment or imaging procedures, may have circulating antianimal antibodies present. These antibodies may interfere with the assay reagents to produce unreliable results.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Serum ​ ​Frozen (preferred) ​28 days
​Refrigerated ​24 hours
Rejection Criteria
Gross Hemolysis
​Gross Icterus
 Gross ​Lipemia
Useful For

Monitoring effectiveness of antiresorptive therapy in patients treated for osteoporosis or other metabolic bone disorders

As an adjunct in the diagnosis of medical conditions associated with increased bone turnover

Test Components
N-Terminal Telolpeptide
Reference Range Information
All units are reported in nmol Bone Collagen Equivalents (BCE)
Adult (> or =18 years of age)
Males: 5.4-24.2 nmol BCE
Females: Premenopausal: 6.2-19.0 nmol BCE
The target value for postmenopausal adult females undergoing treatment for osteoporosis is the same as the premenopausal reference interval.
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Medical Laboratories Tuesday, Thursday 3 days
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)​
Reference Lab
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
​82523
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.