Bilirubin, Direct

Test Code

38441

CPT Codes
82248<br>Limited Access Code

Preferred Specimen

1 mL plasma collected in a plasma separator tube - protected from light

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Instructions

Protect from light by wrapping a spun PST in foil or transferring plasma to an amber transport vial. Avoid hemolysis.

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 24 hours
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: 90 days

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

Unspun plasma separator tube; Unspun green-top tube (heparinized plasma not separated from cells); Anticoagulants other than lithium heparin, sodium heparin or fluoride/oxalate; hemolysis; Anticoagulants other than heparin

Methodology
Spectrophotometric

Setup Schedule

Set up: Daily; Report available: Next day

Reference Range

≤ 0.2 mg/dL

Clinical Significance

Measurement of the levels of bilirubin is used in the diagnosis and treatment of liver, hemolytic, hematologic, and metabolic disorders, including hepatitis and gall bladder obstruction. The assessment of direct bilirubin is helpful in the differentiation of hepatic disorders. The increase in total bilirubin, associated with obstructive jaundice, is primarily due to the direct (conjugated) fraction. Both direct and indirect bilirubin are increased in the serum with hepatitis.

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.