CPT® Code 82670

The CPT® Code 82670 refers to the laboratory test that measures the total amount of the hormone estradiol in the blood. Estradiol is a form of estrogen, which is a key hormone in the reproductive system, particularly in non-pregnant women. This test is crucial for evaluating ovarian function, as it helps in diagnosing various conditions such as precocious puberty, which is the onset of secondary sexual characteristics at an unusually early age, amenorrhea, the absence of menstruation, and gynecomastia, which is the enlargement of breast tissue in men. Additionally, estradiol levels are monitored in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) to assess follicle development and in post-menopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy to ensure appropriate hormone levels. The estradiol levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle, reflecting the hormonal changes that occur during this time. After menopause, estradiol levels drop significantly, stabilizing at a very low but constant level. For menstruating women, normal estradiol levels range from 15 to 350 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL), while for postmenopausal women, the expected levels are less than 10 pg/mL. The test requires a blood sample, which is typically obtained through a venipuncture, a procedure that is separately reportable. Estradiol can be measured in either plasma or serum, and the measurement techniques include chemiluminescent immunoassay for pre-menopausal women and tandem mass spectrometry for males, children, and post-menopausal women.