Hemoglobinopathy Evaluation

Message

Alert: The test being ordered is a genetic test for an inherited disease which is indicated once in a lifetime. The test has already been performed and the results are available. Repeat genetic testing should only be performed if the existing result is inconsistent with the patient’s clinical presentation or if the methodology has changed to the extent that a different result from the original one would impact patient management. If a repeat test is being requested please contact the Laboratory to discuss the reason it is being ordered. Duplicate request for this order will be canceled.

Test Code

HELEC (QNI)

Quest Code

35489

Alias/See Also

Hemoglobin Electrophoresis
35489

CPT Codes
83020, 85014, 85018, 85041

Includes

Hemoglobin A, Hemoglobin F, Hemoglobin A2 (Quant), Hemoglobin S, Hemoglobin C, Hemoglobin E, and any hemoglobin variants
Red Blood Cell Count, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, RDW

Preferred Specimen

Whole blood - full 5.0 mL EDTA (Lav. Top) tube

Minimum Volume

1 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Whole blood collected in: EDTA (tan-top), (pink-top) or (royal blue-top) tube

Instructions

Must include Transfusion and Sickle Cell information at time of order.

Patient age and ethnicity are necessary for proper interpretation. Blood transfusions within the last 4 months may affect results.

Note: If drawn with lead testing, EDTA (tan-top) is required.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 72 hours
Refrigerated: 6 days
Frozen: Unacceptable

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

Gross hemolysis • Clotted

Methodology
Electronic Sizing and Counting/Cytometry • Capillary Electrophoresis followed by, if necessary, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Setup Schedule

Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 4-6 days

Report Available

4-6 days

Reference Range

See Laboratory Report

Clinical Significance

The detection and proper identification of hemoglobinopathies and thalassemias is an important aspect of the evaluation of patients with anemia, microcytosis and erythrocytosis.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
33608 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92690-6130

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.