Carboxyhemoglobin, Blood

Message

After blood collection, keep tube closed

Test Code

CRBXQ

Alias/See Also

LAB13122

CPT Codes
<p>83021</p>

Preferred Specimen

One Full Tube of whole blood. Keep tube closed.

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Whole blood collected in: Sodium heparin (green-top) tube or lithium heparin (green-top) tube

Instructions

Keep tube closed

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 5 days Refrigerated: 10 days Frozen:
Unacceptable

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Fluoride oxalate (gray-top) tube • Grossly clotted

Methodology

Spectrophotometry (SP)

Setup Schedule

Daily nights

Report Available

Next day

Reference Range

Non-Smoker <2 % of total Hgb

Average Smoker 4-5 % of total Hgb

Heavy Smoker 8-12 % of total Hgb

Clinical Significance

Carbon monoxide is the most common of the gaseous poisons. Malfunctioning or poorly ventilated heating appliances and internal combustion engines are frequent causes of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide combines reversibly with hemoglobin in a manner almost identical to oxygen resulting in a decrease in the amount of oxygen carried by hemoglobin. Accidental poisoning can occur even at low levels (greater than 0.01%) of CO in the atmosphere with prolonged exposure.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute 14225 Newbrook Drive Chantilly, VA 20153

Last Updated: February 17, 2023

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.