There is diurnal variation of PINP levels, with the values being higher at night. When serial measurements of PINP are performed, specimens should be collected at the same time of the day.
PINP is metabolized in the liver. In individuals with severe liver disease, clearance from the circulation might be affected resulting in elevated PINP levels.
Some patients who have been exposed to mouse antigens, whether in the environment or as part of treatment or imaging procedures, may have circulating antimouse antibodies. These antibodies may interfere with the assay reagents to produce unreliable PINP assay results.
This test should not be requested in patients who have recently received radioisotopes, therapeutically or diagnostically, because of potential assay interference. A recommended time period before collection cannot be made because it will depend on the isotope administered, the dose given and the clearance rate in the individual patient. Specimens will be screened for radioactivity prior to analysis. Radioactive specimens received in the laboratory will be held and assayed after the radioactivity has sufficiently decayed. This will result in a test delay.