CPT® Code 82108

The CPT® Code 82108 refers to a laboratory test specifically designed to measure the levels of aluminum in the blood. This test is crucial for monitoring patients who may be at risk for aluminum toxicity, which can occur due to various factors including certain diseases or environmental exposures. Aluminum, a member of the boron group of chemical elements, can enter the body through dietary sources, nutritional supplements, and medications. In particular, individuals with chronic kidney disease are at a heightened risk for accumulating toxic levels of aluminum, as their ability to excrete this metal may be compromised. Symptoms associated with aluminum toxicity can be severe and include neurological issues such as encephalopathy, bone disorders like osteomalacia and aplastic bone disease, cardiovascular irregularities including arrhythmias, and hematological conditions such as microcytic anemia. To perform this test, a blood sample is collected through a procedure known as venipuncture, which is separately reportable. The collected blood serum is then analyzed using a sophisticated technique called quantitative inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, which allows for precise measurement of aluminum concentrations in the sample.