Iron, Serum

Test Code: FE

Overview
Ordering
Specimen
Performing
Clinical/Interpretive
Contacts
Coding

Useful For

Alterations in iron levels result from changes in iron intake, absorption, storage, and release mechanisms. Iron is decreased in iron deficiency, acute and chronic infection, and in malignancy. Iron overload with a high percent saturation may occur in hematochromatosis, anemia with increased, but ineffective erythropoiesis (thallassemia major and siderosis), alcoholic liver disease, and dietary or IV overdose.

Specimen Requirements

Fasting Required	Specimen Type	Preferred Container/Tube	Acceptable Container/Tube	Specimen Volume	Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat)	Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat)
No	Serum/ Plasma	Serum Separator Tube (SST), Lithium-heparin Plasma Separator (PST)	Red Top Tube (RTT) Lithium or Sodium-heparin Green Top (GTT)	1 mL	0.3 mL

Collection Processing Instructions

It is recommended that heparinized plasma samples be removed from contact with cells within 2 hours of collection.

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type	Temperature	Time
Serum/ Plasma	Refrigerate	2 days
Serum/ Plasma	Frozen	1 year

Rejection Criteria

Hemolyzed samples

Interference

Hemolysis may cause falsely elevated results.
Ingestion of oral contraceptives will elevate iron and/or total iron binding capacity values.
Iron-dextran administration can cause elevations in total serum iron with this methodology.

Performing Laboratory Information

Performing Location	Day(s) Test Performed	Analytical Time	Methodology/Instrumentation
Weston	Monday through Sunday	Less than 2 hours	Iron Method/Siemens Dimension
Eau Claire	Monday through Sunday	Less than 2 hours	TPTZ Endpoint Assay/Beckman AU
Lakeview Medical Center	Monday through Sunday	Less than 2 hours	TPTZ Endpoint Assay/Beckman AU
Marshfield	Monday through Sunday	Less than 2 hours	TPTZ Endpoint Assay/Beckman AU
Minocqua	Monday through Sunday	Less than 2 hours	TPTZ Endpoint Assay/Beckman AU

Test Information

Use test code "FE-O" for body fluids. Use test code "FETIBC" if both FE and TIBC are desired.

Reference Range Information

Performing Location	Reference Range
All Performing Sites using Dimension	40-160 ug/dL
All Performing Sites using Beckman AU	0-14 yr: 24 - 152 µg/dL Female: 14 - <19 yr: 29 – 191 µg/dL Male: 14 - <19 yr: 41 – 197 µg/dL Adult: 42 – 173 µg/dL

Performing Location

Reference Range

All Performing Sites

using Dimension

40-160 ug/dL

All Performing Sites using Beckman AU

0-14 yr: 24 - 152 µg/dL

Female: 14 - <19 yr: 29 – 191 µg/dL

Male: 14 - <19 yr: 41 – 197 µg/dL

Adult: 42 – 173 µg/dL

Outreach CPTs

CPT	Modifier (if needed)	Quantity	Description	Comments
83540

Ordering Applications

Ordering Application	Description
Centricity	Iron, Blood
Cerner	Iron Level
COM	Iron - Only

If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.