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Troponins
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The Test Sample
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What is being tested?The troponins are a family of proteins found in skeletal and heart muscle fibers. The three different types of troponin are called troponin C (TnC), troponin T (TnT), and troponin I (TnI). Together, these three proteins regulate muscular contraction. Two of the proteins, TnI and TnT, occur in a form that is found only in the heart. These cardiac-specific troponins, called cTnI and cTnT, are normally present in very small quantities in the blood. When there is damage to heart muscle cells, cardiac troponins I and T are released into the circulation. The more damage there is, the greater the concentration of cardiac troponins I and T in the blood.
When a patient has a heart attack, levels of troponins can become elevated in the blood within 3 or 4 hours after injury and may remain elevated for 10 to 14 days.
How is the sample collected for testing?
A blood sample is taken by needle from a vein in the arm.
NOTE: If undergoing medical tests makes you or someone you care for anxious, embarrassed, or even difficult to manage, you might consider reading one or more of the following articles: Coping with Test Pain, Discomfort, and Anxiety, Tips on Blood Testing, Tips to Help Children through Their Medical Tests, and Tips to Help the Elderly through Their Medical Tests.
Another article, Follow That Sample, provides a glimpse at the collection and processing of a blood sample and throat culture.
Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample?
No test preparation is needed.
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This article was last reviewed on
June 15, 2008.
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