Iron

3028

cpt

normal turn-around time

assays included

specimen type

minimum required

83540

24 hours

Serum or Plasma

1 mL of serum or heparinized plasma

collection instructions

Collect blood in a serum separator tube (SST) or a lithium heparin tube.
Allow the blood to clot at room temperature for 30 minutes if using an SST.
Centrifuge and separate serum or plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection.
Transport the specimen at 2-8°C if not tested within 2 hours.

collection instructions

Hemolysis: Red blood cell destruction can falsely increase glucose levels.
Improper Labeling: Specimen must be labeled with at least two patient identifiers.
Insufficient Quantity: Volume less than 1 mL may not be sufficient for accurate testing.
Lipemia: Excessive fat in the blood can interfere with certain test results.

clinical significance

The Iron test measures the level of iron in the blood. Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, which is necessary for oxygen transport in the blood. Abnormal iron levels can indicate conditions such as iron deficiency anemia, hemochromatosis, chronic inflammatory disorders, and other conditions affecting iron metabolism. This test is often used in conjunction with other iron-related tests, such as Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC) and Ferritin, to assess iron status comprehensively.