HEMOGLOBIN AND HEMATOCRIT

Message

Hematology

Test Code

LAB753

Alias/See Also

H&H

CPT Codes
85018

Includes

Hemoglobin, Hematocrit
May reflex Reticulocyte Battery (Retic Abs, Retic %, IRF%, Ret-He)

Preferred Specimen

2.5 mL whole blood (lavender top tube, EDTA)

Minimum Volume

0.5mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Microtainer fingerstick/heelstick (neonates)

Instructions

Included in CBC or CBC with Differential

**Testing must be completed within 24 hours of collection.

Transport Temperature

Never place whole blood on ice or transport frozen.

Specimen Stability

Room Temp 24 hours
Refrigerated 48 hours
Allow refrigerated samples to come to room temperature and mix well before analysis.

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

Hemolyzed
Contaminated
Clotted
QNS

Methodology
The analyzer performs hematology analysis according to the hydrodynamic focusing (DC Detection), flow cytometry method (semiconductor laser), and SLS-hemoglobin method. Hematocrit (HCT) is measured as a ratio of the total RBC volume to whole blood using cumulative pulse height detection. Hemoglobin (HGB) is converted to SLS-hemoglobin and read photometrically.

Setup Schedule

Same day. Available STAT.

Report Available

Same day

Limitations

Marked changes in plasma constituents (e.g., low sodium, extremely elevated glucose) may cause cells to swell or shrink. The blood to anticoagulant ratio is important.
Cold agglutinins produce spurious macrocytosis, elevated MCHs and MCHCs, falsely decreased RBC counts and HCTs.
Extremely elevated WBC counts may cause turbidity and falsely increase the hemoglobin, RBC and HCT values.
Severely hemolyzed samples (in vitro) falsely decrease RBC and hematocrit.
Abnormal paraproteins found in blood from patients with Multiple Myeloma can falsely increase the HGB.
Severely icteric samples may falsely elevate the HGB value and related indices.

Reference Range

Refer to H&H report for individual Reference Ranges

Clinical Significance

Decreased values may indicate either a chronic or acute bleed and should be correlated to the clinical indications of the patient’s presentation.

Performing Laboratory
HHN/HHI

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.