CPT® Code 84379

The CPT® Code 84379 refers to a laboratory test that quantitatively measures multiple types of sugars, including mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides, in various specimens such as blood, body fluids, or excrement. Sugars are categorized based on their molecular structure: monosaccharides are single sugar units like glucose, fructose, or galactose; disaccharides consist of two sugar units, examples being sucrose (composed of glucose and fructose), lactose (composed of glucose and galactose), and maltose (composed of two glucose units). The body utilizes these simple sugars as a primary energy source through oxidation. Oligosaccharides, which are chains of 3 to 10 monosaccharides, can attach to proteins and lipids, forming glycans that play significant roles in biological processes. These oligosaccharides are naturally found in plant fibers such as starch and cellulose and serve as prebiotics, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the large intestine, which in turn aids in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and certain B vitamins. The test associated with CPT® Code 84379 is particularly useful for screening carbohydrate malabsorption disorders and identifying lysosomal storage diseases, including mannosidosis, fucosidosis, GM1 gangliosidosis, and sialic acid storage disease. It is important to note that CPT® Code 84378 is designated for the quantitative analysis of a single sugar, while CPT® Code 84379 is specifically for the quantitative assessment of multiple sugar molecules within a sample.