Copper, RBC

Test Code

3481

CPT Codes
82525<br><strong>This test is not available for New York patient testing.</strong>

Preferred Specimen

0.5 mL red blood cells collected in an EDTA trace metal-free (royal blue-top) tube

Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Red blood cells collected in: EDTA (lavender-top), sodium heparin trace metal-free (royal blue-top), sodium heparin lead-free (tan-top), or sodium or lithium heparin (green-top) tubes

Instructions

Carefully clean skin prior to venipuncture. Avoid hemolysis. Avoid worksite collection.

Red blood cells Trace Metal: Use the royal blue-top trace metal evacuated tube (Becton-Dickinson catalog# 367736) with EDTA for RBC trace metal testing.

Packed Cells: Centrifuge to separate plasma from RBCs and discard plasma. Transfer RBCs to a plastic transfer vial from a Quest Diagnostics (trace element and metal free) collection kit or transfer to a plastic screw cap vial.

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

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

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

Gross hemolysis • Clotted

Methodology
Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS)

FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Set up: Sun, Wed, Fri; Report available: 2-5 days

Reference Range

0.53-0.91 mg/L

Clinical Significance

Copper is an essential element that is a cofactor of many enzymes. Copper metabolism is distributed in Wilson's disease, Menkes disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, and Indian childhood cirrhosis. Copper concentrations increase in acute phase reactions. Copper concentrations are decreased with nephrosis, malabsorption, and malnutrition. Copper concentrations are also useful to monitor patients, especially preterm newborns, on nutritional supplementation. Results of copper are often interpreted together with ceruloplasmin.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Lewisville

2501 South State Hwy 121, Suite 1100

Lewisville, TX 75067-8188

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.