Understanding the Biomarker: C-Telopeptide, Serum
C-Telopeptide, also known as C-terminal telopeptide (CTX), is a biomarker used in medical diagnostics to measure bone resorption. Bone resorption is the process where bone tissue is broken down and minerals, such as calcium, are released into the bloodstream. This biomarker provides important insights into bone health, particularly in conditions such as osteoporosis, bone metastasis, and other metabolic bone diseases.
What is C-Telopeptide?
C-Telopeptide is a fragment of type I collagen, which is the most abundant collagen in bone tissue. Collagen provides the structural framework for bones, and during bone resorption, this collagen is broken down, releasing CTX fragments into the bloodstream. The amount of CTX present in the serum (blood) serves as an indicator of the rate of bone turnover, specifically bone degradation.
Measuring C-Telopeptide levels in the serum offers clinicians valuable information about the dynamic process of bone remodeling, which is the continuous cycle of bone resorption and formation that maintains bone strength and density.
The Role of C-Telopeptide in Bone Metabolism
Bone metabolism is a balance between two opposing processes: bone resorption (breakdown) and bone formation (build-up). In healthy individuals, these processes occur at relatively equal rates, ensuring that bone mass remains stable. However, certain conditions can cause an imbalance, leading to increased bone resorption, decreased bone formation, or both.
C-Telopeptide is a marker specifically associated with the bone resorption phase. Elevated CTX levels indicate that bone degradation is occurring at a faster rate than normal, which can be an early indicator of conditions such as:
By monitoring C-Telopeptide levels, physicians can assess the effectiveness of treatments aimed at reducing bone loss and improving bone density, such as bisphosphonates or hormone replacement therapy.
Clinical Importance of C-Telopeptide Testing
Testing for C-Telopeptide, serum is most commonly used in the management of osteoporosis, particularly to monitor the efficacy of anti-resorptive therapies. These treatments aim to slow down the process of bone resorption, and CTX levels serve as a valuable tool in assessing whether these treatments are successfully reducing the breakdown of bone.
In addition to osteoporosis, CTX testing is beneficial for:
Evaluating Bone Turnover in Metabolic Bone Diseases: High levels of C-Telopeptide can indicate excessive bone resorption, which may be caused by metabolic disorders affecting the bones.
Monitoring Treatment Efficacy in Cancer Patients: Patients with bone metastases often experience increased bone degradation. CTX testing helps track how well treatments are slowing bone destruction.
Detecting Early Bone Loss: Elevated CTX levels may serve as an early indicator of bone loss, even before significant changes are detected by bone mineral density (BMD) tests, such as a DEXA scan.
How is C-Telopeptide Measured?
C-Telopeptide is measured through a simple blood test, often referred to as a serum C-Telopeptide test or CTX test. The test involves drawing a small sample of blood, which is then analyzed in a laboratory to measure the concentration of CTX. The results are usually reported in ng/L (nanograms per liter).
Interpreting C-Telopeptide Levels
C-Telopeptide levels can vary based on age, sex, and other physiological factors. It’s important to interpret CTX results in the context of the patient’s overall health, bone density, and clinical history. However, general reference ranges for C-Telopeptide in serum are as follows:
Higher-than-normal levels of CTX indicate an increased rate of bone resorption, which may suggest that the patient is at higher risk for conditions such as osteoporosis or bone metastases. Conversely, lower levels of CTX could indicate that bone resorption is slowing, which may be a positive response to treatment aimed at reducing bone degradation.
Factors Affecting C-Telopeptide Levels
Several factors can influence C-Telopeptide levels, and it is important for clinicians to consider these variables when interpreting test results:
Age and Sex: CTX levels tend to be higher in postmenopausal women due to the decline in estrogen levels, which naturally increases bone resorption. Similarly, as men age, their CTX levels can rise due to reduced bone turnover regulation.
Circadian Rhythms: C-Telopeptide levels follow a diurnal pattern, with the highest levels typically occurring in the early morning hours and lower levels in the evening. This makes it important to standardize the timing of blood draws for consistent results.
Medications: Certain medications, such as corticosteroids, can increase bone resorption and elevate CTX levels. Conversely, anti-resorptive treatments like bisphosphonates, denosumab, and hormone replacement therapy can lower CTX levels.
Diet and Fasting: CTX levels can be influenced by recent food intake, particularly calcium-rich foods. For the most accurate results, it is often recommended that patients fast for several hours before the blood test.
Menstrual Cycle: In premenopausal women, CTX levels can fluctuate based on the phase of the menstrual cycle, with higher levels occurring in the luteal phase.
C-Telopeptide in Osteoporosis Management
One of the most significant applications of C-Telopeptide testing is in the management of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition where bone density decreases, making bones more fragile and susceptible to fractures. Monitoring bone resorption markers like CTX can help healthcare providers track how well osteoporosis treatments are working to prevent further bone loss.
For example, bisphosphonates, a class of drugs commonly used to treat osteoporosis, work by inhibiting bone resorption. By monitoring CTX levels, clinicians can assess whether the treatment is effectively reducing bone degradation. A significant reduction in CTX levels after starting treatment is generally considered a positive response, indicating that the drug is helping to slow the progression of osteoporosis.
C-Telopeptide in Cancer Care
In patients with cancer, especially those with cancers that spread to the bones (bone metastasis), monitoring bone turnover is crucial. Elevated CTX levels in these patients can signal increased bone destruction, often associated with the presence of metastatic disease. Regular monitoring of CTX can help oncologists assess the effectiveness of treatments such as bisphosphonates, denosumab, or radiation therapy in reducing bone resorption and preventing skeletal-related events (SREs) like fractures.
Conclusion
C-Telopeptide, serum is a vital biomarker in the assessment of bone health, offering insights into bone resorption rates and aiding in the diagnosis and management of conditions like osteoporosis and bone metastases. Its utility in monitoring the effectiveness of treatments for metabolic bone diseases and bone-related complications in cancer patients makes it a critical tool for healthcare providers.
By understanding and accurately interpreting CTX levels, clinicians can make more informed decisions about a patient’s bone health, adjusting treatment plans as needed to ensure the best possible outcomes. As research continues to advance, the role of C-Telopeptide in personalized medicine and bone health management will likely expand, offering new opportunities for improving patient care.
Your medical lab tests hold vital information about your health. Our tools help you understand what's going on and how to take action.
$15 $5.99/first month
Cancel or upgrade anytime
Anthony
Unlimited Plan Member since 2021
I have been using Healthmatters.io since 2021. I travel all over the world and use different doctors and health facilities. This site has allowed me to consolidate all my various test results over 14 years in one place. And every doctor that I show this to has been impressed. Because with any health professional I talk to, I can pull up historical results in seconds. It is invaluable. Even going back to the same doctor, they usually do not have the historical results from their facility in a graph format. That has been very helpful.
Karin
Advanced Plan Member since 2020
What fantastic service and great, easy-to-follow layouts! I love your website; it makes it so helpful to see patterns in my health data. It's truly a pleasure to use. I only wish the NHS was as organized and quick as Healthmatters.io. You've set a new standard for health tracking!
Paul
Healthmatters Pro Member since 2024
As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!
Guiding our users for 10 years to promptly understand, track, and act on their laboratory results.
$15 $5.99/first month
Cancel your subscription at any time.
$250/once
full premium version
$45/month
track your clients’ labs
Cancel your subscription at any time.
Guiding our users for 10 years to promptly understand, track, and act on their laboratory results.
Personal plans
track personal results
Professional Plan
track multiple client's results
$15 $5.99/first month
$250/once
own it for life
$45/month
for health professionals
Complete Plan
Unlimited Plan
$15 $5.99
$250 full version
Are you a health professional?
Level up your lab report analysis with our Pro plan, built for health practitioners like you.
Health Business Account
$45/month
Cancel your subscription at any time.
Unlock additional Pro plans when you sign up.
Anthony
Unlimited Plan Member since 2021
I have been using Healthmatters.io since 2021. I travel all over the world and use different doctors and health facilities. This site has allowed me to consolidate all my various test results over 14 years in one place. And every doctor that I show this to has been impressed. Because with any health professional I talk to, I can pull up historical results in seconds. It is invaluable. Even going back to the same doctor, they usually do not have the historical results from their facility in a graph format. That has been very helpful.
Karin
Advanced Plan Member since 2020
What fantastic service and great, easy-to-follow layouts! I love your website; it makes it so helpful to see patterns in my health data. It's truly a pleasure to use. I only wish the NHS was as organized and quick as Healthmatters.io. You've set a new standard for health tracking!
Paul
Healthmatters Pro Member since 2024
As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!
Healthmatters is a highly-personalized health dashboard.
Instead of searching for your lab results in different places or tracking them down from different providers, Healthmatters houses, organizes, and interprets them all in one central location.
With a Healthmatters account, you can dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data, anytime, anywhere.
For our professional users, Healthmatters provides intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history.
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
While we work with many popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too.
It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters and we can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.
If you’re on the hunt for a specific biomarker, contact us and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account.
There are two ways to add your test reports to your Healthmatters account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."
Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.
For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.
We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.
Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.
Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.
For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.
Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.
Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.
The Unlimited plan is a one-time purchase for $250, and it covers your account for a lifetime with no additional payments.
For the Complete plan, the cost is $15 per month. You have the flexibility to cancel it anytime through your account settings, ensuring no further payments. To avoid charges, remember to cancel at least a day before the renewal date. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.
Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.
You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.
Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.
Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.
We’ve crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.
1. Graph View:Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.
2. All Tests ViewExplore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.
3. Table View:For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.
Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.
Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.
Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.
Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.
A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.
The professional account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.
To learn more about Healthmatters Pro, please refer to the professional page.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
17-Hydroxypregnenolone, MS (female), 17-Hydroxyprogesterone (female), 17-OH Progesterone, 5 Alhpa-Dihydrotestosterone (male), ACTH, Plasma, ADH, Aldos/Renin Ratio, Aldosterone, Aldosterone/Plasma Renin Activity Ratio, Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH), C-Telopeptide, Serum, Calcitonin, Serum, Cortisol - ACTH (Cortrosyn) Stimulation Test, Cortisol - AM (Serum), Cortisol, Serum, Cortisol-Binding Globulin (CBG), DHEA, Unconjugated, DHEA-S : Cortisol Ratio, DHEAS (Serum), DHT, Free, DHT, Percent Free Dialysis, Estradiol, Estradiol (male), Estradiol, Ultrasensitive, LC/MS, Estriol, Serum, Estrogens, Total (female), Estrogens, Total (male), Estrone Sulfate, Estrone, Serum (Female), Estrone, Serum (Male), Free Cortisol, Serum, Free Estradiol, Percent, Free Estradiol, Serum, Glucagon, Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH), Growth Hormone, Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), Total, IA-2 Autoantibodies, IGF Binding Protein 1 (IGFBP 1), IGF Binding Protein 3 (IGFBP 3), IGF-BP3, Leptin, Luteinizing Hormone, Human (hLH), Pregnenolone (male), Progesterone (male), Progesterone (Serum), Prolactin, Renin Activity, Plasma, Total Testosterone (Female/ng/mL)
