Phosphorus

Test Code

PHOS

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Heparinized plasma

Transport Container

Serum separator tube (SST)

Transport Temperature

Ambient

Specimen Stability

Ambient: 22 hours
Refrigerated: 4 days

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

Gross hemolysis • Plasma

Methodology
Spectrophotometry (SP)

Setup Schedule

24/7

Report Available

Same day

Reference Range

2.3-4.6 mg/dL

Clinical Significance

Serum phosphorus (Phosphate) levels alone are of limited diagnostic value and should be correlated with serum calcium levels. An increased phosphorus with decreased calcium suggests either hypoparathyroidism or renal disease. A decreased phosphorus and an increased calcium suggests hyperparathyroidism or sarcoidosis. When both calcium and phosphorus are decreased diagnostic considerations include malabsorption, vitamin D deficiency and renal tubular acidosis. Increased phosphorus and normal or increased calcium suggests Milk-alkali syndrome or hypervitaminosis D.

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.