Iron, Liver
Ordering Recommendation
Useful in confirming hepatic iron overload, particularly in individuals with hemochromatosis and no common HFE mutations. Initial approach to diagnosis for hemochromatosis should include Iron and Iron Binding Capacity (0020420) (NOTE: test includes serum transferrin saturation) and Ferritin (0070065).
New York DOH Approval Status
Specimen Required
Liver tissue obtained with an 18 gauge needle.
Transport at least a 1 cm long specimen. Tissue can be fresh, paraffin-embedded, or dried. Also acceptable: Formalin-fixed. Specimens should be stored and transported in a metal-free container such as a royal blue (no additive).
Refrigerated.
Specimens less than 0.25 mg (dry weight). Specimens stored or shipped in saline.
Age is required on test request form in order to calculate iron index.
Paraffin block, preserved (formalin), or dried: Ambient: Indefinitely; Refrigerated: Indefinitely; Frozen: Indefinitely
Fresh tissue: Ambient: Unacceptable; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: Indefinitely
Methodology
Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Performed
Fri
Reported
3-10 days
Reference Interval
Male |
Female |
|
---|---|---|
Hepatic Iron Concentration by Weight (HIC) | 200-2,000 µg/g of tissue | 200-1,600 µg/g of tissue |
Hepatic Iron Index (HII) | Less than 1.0 | Less than 1.0 |
Interpretive Data
A Hepatic Iron Index (HII) is not calculated for patients less than 14 years. An HII less than 1.0 is consistent with normal iron accumulation. An HII 1.0 through 1.9 is consistent with mild iron accumulation such as in heterozygous hemochromatosis or alcoholic liver disease. An HII greater than 1.9 is consistent with iron overload such as in homozygous hemochromatosis, porphyria cutanea tarda, and cirrhotic liver disease. The HII will decrease with chelation, chronic blood loss, or phlebotomy.
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes.
Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)
Note
Hotline History
Hotline History
CPT Codes
83540
Components
Component Test Code* | Component Chart Name | LOINC |
---|---|---|
0020815 | Tissue Weight | 29638-4 |
0020816 | Hepatic Iron Concentration by Weight | 15357-7 |
0020817 | Hepatic Iron Index | 49061-5 |
2004961 | EER Iron, Liver | 11526-1 |
Aliases
- Fe
- Hepatic Iron Concentration
- Hepatic Iron Index
- Iron Tissue
- Iron, Tissue Liver
- Metals, Tissue
- Quantitative Iron
- Total Iron, Liver Tissue