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Test Code 116 Iron

Important Note

Ingestion of oral contraceptives will elevate iron or total iron-binding values.

Some gadolinium magnetic resonance contrast agents such as Omniscan, Optimark and Magnevist may interfere with this assay.

Iron dextran administration can cause elevations in total serum iron with this methodology.

Use of this assay is not recommended for patients undergoing treatment with deferoxamine (e.g., Desferal) or other iron-chelating compounds.

Ingestion of iron (including iron-fortified vitamins or supplements) may cause transient elevated iron levels.

Additional Codes

ALAB: IRON

PowerChart: Iron Level

MA Cerner: Iron Level.

Test Method

MercyOne: Timed Endpoint Ferozine Iron; Beckman DxC700AU

MA: Enzymatic Colorimetric Method; Roche Cobas 6000

 

Specimen Requirement

500 mcL serum or plasma is required.

Additional Specimen Collection Information

Collect blood in a lithium heparin, green-top or red-top tube. Serum or plasma gel tubes are acceptable. Serum or plasma should be separated from contact with the cells within 2 hours of collection. Specimens not centrifuged within 4 hours of collection may be rejected. Refrigerate the specimen if unable to assay within 8 hours of collection. Hemolyzed specimens are not acceptable. Samples with >3+ lipemia must be cleared prior to analysis.

Performance

Testing is performed Monday through Sunday

Reference Values

MercyOne: Males: 45-182 mcg/dL
                   Females: 28-170 mcg/dL

Medical Associates: Males: 50-150 mcg/dL
                                 Females: 35-145 mcg/dL

CPT Code Information

83540: Chemistry: Iron

Useful For

Screening for chronic iron overload diseases, particularly hereditary hemochromatosis

Serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, and percent saturation are widely used for the diagnosis of iron deficiency. However, serum ferritin is a much more sensitive and reliable test for demonstration of iron deficiency.

LOINC Code Information

2498-4  Iron [Mass/Volume] In Serum Or Plasma

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