Background
More than 90% of organic bone matrix consists of Type 1 Collagen. During normal bone metabolism, mature Type 1 Collagen is degraded. Small fragments pass into the blood stream and are excreted via the kidneys. During physiologically or pathologically elevated bone resorption (e.g. in old age or as a result of Osteoporosis) type 1 Collagen is degraded at an increased rate. This results in an increase of Collagen fragments in the blood.
Reference ranges
Men
30 – 50 yrs: 16 – 584 ng/L
50 – 70 yrs: 0 – 704 ng/L
70 yrs: 0 – 854 ng/L
Women
Premenopause: 15 – 573 ng/L
Post menopause: 104 – 1008 ng/L
Specimen requirements
Blood taken into EDTA tubes are preferable as improved stability is observed.
Turnaround time
24 hours