Iron, Total

Test Code

571

CPT Codes
83540

Preferred Specimen

1 mL serum

Patient Preparation
Samples should be taken in the morning from patients in a fasting state, since iron values decrease by 30% during the course of the day and there can be significant interference from lipemia

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in a sodium heparin (green-top) or lithium heparin (green-top) tube

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 6 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: 31 days

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

Hemolysis • Anticoagulants other than heparin

Methodology
Spectrophotometry (SP)

Setup Schedule

Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 2-3 days

Clinical Significance

Serum measurements are useful in the diagnosis of iron deficiency and hemochromatosis.

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.