UTAK Laboratories

UTAK was founded in 1973 by Larry and Judy Plutchak. For 40 years, UTAK has been a pioneer and innovator in the control industry, offering 'open source' products for a broad range of instruments and methods. Our precisely handcrafted Controls set new quality standards in clinical and forensic testing. We help each of our clients measure an unparalleled range of assessments that are uncompromised and unbiased. Regarding Vitamin D, published research studies began to link Vitamin D deficiency to numerous health risks. Monitoring was growing in importance. The laboratory testing market was experiencing significant variability in reference methods (EIA, RIA, HPLC, LC-MS) and the debate surrounding which method was best for measuring 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH D), was heating up. In 2001 we made the decision and started a project to develop Vitamin D Controls. It would have been easier to use stripped serum, "human based" serum, or human serum fortified with animal serum, however, we could not, in good conscience, sacrifice the quality of this product by using anything other than 100% REAL Human Serum. UTAK controls closely and consistently mimic patients' specimens. Our controls are accurately manufactured to the true desired level, not to a modified accepted mean. UTAK 100% human matrices yield predictable, consistent results. "Human based" matrices do not always behave like all-human materials, which can cause erratic results. Ultimately, it could affect a patient's quality of life. Though we knew that using a 100% REAL Human Serum matrix presented challenges to manufacturing, thought leaders, such as Dr. Charles Pippenger encouraged us to understand, that there is no more appropriate solution for optimized patient care and patient outcomes. In 2003, when we commercialized our 100% Real Human Serum Handcrafted Vitamin D Controls, we were confident that this product could make a difference to laboratory performance and patient care. At UTAK, a family-owned company, we measure our success by a higher standard. Delivering on our commitments, we support our clients in improving patient care, one test result at a time.