Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Compare Testosterone Tests

Question: The lab performs a test using a serum specimen that involves precipitating and removing testosterone bound to sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), then quantifying the level of testosterone left in the specimen. What is the correct code for this procedure?

Utah Subscriber

Answer: The code for the procedure you describe is 84410 (Testosterone; bioavailable, direct measurement (eg, differential precipitation)).

Bioavailable testosterone includes both free testosterone and testosterone that is weakly bound to serum albumin. That means the testosterone measured by 84410 is different from what is measured by 84402 (Testosterone; free).

The other testosterone test, which you should not use for the test you describe, is 84403 (Testosterone; total).