CPT® Code 83918

The CPT® Code 83918 refers to the quantitative analysis of organic acids in a specimen, which can be either blood or urine. Organic acids are metabolic by-products that are typically broken down into carbon dioxide and water during normal metabolic processes. However, in individuals with organic acid disorders, certain proteins fail to undergo proper breakdown, leading to various health complications, including nutrient deficiencies and metabolic crises. These disorders are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, affecting both males and females equally. The symptoms associated with organic acid disorders can vary significantly based on the specific type of disorder present, and treatment approaches are tailored accordingly. Common organic acids that may be tested include 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, formic acid, glutaric acid (which is indicative of glutaric acidemia type 1, a condition resulting from the inability to metabolize lysine and tryptophan), hippuric acid, homogentisic acid, methylhippuric acid, methylmalonic acid (which can indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency), orotic acid, and trichloroacetic acid. The testing methodology employed is contingent upon both the specimen type and the specific organic acid being analyzed. Under CPT® Code 83918, a comprehensive quantitative analysis of multiple organic acids is conducted, measuring their concentrations in the specimen. Each specimen analyzed is reported separately, allowing for detailed assessment. This code is distinct from CPT® Code 83919, which pertains to qualitative analysis that determines the presence or absence of organic acids without quantifying their amounts, and CPT® Code 83921, which focuses on the quantitative measurement of a single organic acid.