Skip to main content

Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

  or
  or
  or

HGB

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2461    Geisinger Epic ID:  14465

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Whole blood


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Lavender-top (K2 EDTA) microcollection tube
Specimen required: 

3 mL lavender-top (K2 EDTA) tube collected MUST be properly filled to at least 1.5 mL (half the fill volume of the tube). 
Lavender-top (K2 EDTA) microcollection tube MUST be properly filled to at least 250 uL (half the fill volume of the tube).



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Do NOT centrifuge.


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated (preferred) or room temperature.


Specimen stability: 

Refrigerated: 72 hours. Room temperature: 24 hours.


Rejection criteria: 

Frozen, clotted, hemolyzed, overfilled, underfilled or centrifuged samples. Samples beyond stability limits.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 
 MaleFemale
Adult14.0 - 16.8 gm/dL12.0-15.3 gm/dL
1213.0-16.0 gm/dL12.0-16.0 gm/dL
611.5-15.5 gm/dL11.5-15.5 gm/dL
211.5-13.5 gm/dL11.5-13.5 gm/dL
6 months10.5-13.5 gm/dL10.5-13.5 gm/dL
3 months9.5-13.5 gm/dL9.5-13.5 gm/dL
2 months9.0-13.0 gm/dL9.0-13.0 gm/dL
1 month10.0-18.0 gm/dL10.0-18.0 gm/dL
14 days12.5-20.5 gm/dL12.5-20.5 gm/dL
7 days13.5-21.5 gm/dL13.5-21.5 gm/dL
Newborn14.5-22.5 gm/dL14.5-22.5 gm/dL

Adult ranges established by normal study performed at GMC and GWV 8/2010. 
Pediatric ranges from Nathan and Oski's "Hematology of Infancy and Childhood, 7th edition."


Critical values/courtesy alerts: 
HGB > 30 days <=6.0 and >= 20.0 gm/dL
0-6 days <=7.0 and >22.5 gm/dL
7-13 days <=7.0 and >21.5 gm/dL
14-30 days <=7.0 and >20.5 gm/dL
Additional information: 

Potential related available add on testing includes: CBC with WBC differential (LAB1963), CBC (LAB1961), HCT (LAB2400), PLT (LAB2863); reticulocyte panel (LAB3006); immature platelet fraction (LAB2524) can only be added if sample is collected at testing laboratory; 

See individual test requirements.


CPT code(s):  85018
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

HGB


Methodology: 
Sodium lauryl sulfate
Synonyms: 

HGB, HG, Hemoglobin


Clinical significance: 

This test, normally ordered as part of the complete blood count (CBC), is used to measure the severity of anemia or polycythemia, monitor the response to treatment of anemia or polycythemia, and to help make decisions about tranfusions if anemia is severe.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Mary Dhesi MD
Review Date:  01/08/2025

Performing Locations