Troponin-T

 

Alternative names, keywords

Trop T

Samples required

● Clotted blood (gold cap, 5 mL tube). Smaller tubes are available for paediatric samples.

Avoid haemolysis.

Samples received more than 8 hours after venepuncture are unsuitable for analysis.

Test indications

High sensitivity marker of cardiac damage, and marker of unstable angina.

Test information

High sensitivity troponin-T method.

Factors affecting test performance/ results

Haemolysis interferes - falsely low results are obtained when using samples with haemoglobin concentrations >1 g/L.

In rare cases, interference due to extremely high titers of antibodies to analyte-specific antibodies, streptavidin or ruthenium can occur.

Results should always be assessed in conjunction with the patient’s medical history, clinical examination and other findings.

Reference range

Less than or equal to 14 ng/L

If troponin T at presentation and at 6 hours is < 14 ng/L then MI is ruled out. If the troponin T doubles then this is clinically significant.
Source: Roche Cobas®Troponin T hs kit insert, 2024-04, V4.0

NICE guidance on of biochemical markers for diagnosis of an acute coronary syndrome biomarkers (NICE clinical guideline 95 – Chest pain of recent onset)

  • Take a blood sample for troponin T on initial assessment in hospital.
  • Take a second blood sample for troponin T 10-12 hours after the onset of symptoms.§
  • Take into account the clinical presentation, the time from onset of symptoms and the resting 12-lead ECG findings when interpreting troponin measurements.

§Original guidance stated high sensitivity assays may offer advantages over previous assays in terms of diagnostic accuracy, and may allow exclusion of myocardial infarction earlier than the 12 hour time frame.

Turnaround time

Same day (within 1h if urgent)

Enquiries

Biochemistry (Automation)
 
Details