CPT® Code 85660

The CPT® Code 85660 refers to the sickling of red blood cells (RBC), specifically the reduction of these cells during testing. This procedure involves analyzing a blood sample to detect the presence of hemoglobin S (HbS), which is an abnormal variant of hemoglobin. The sickling of RBC reduction test, commonly known as the HbS solubility test, is primarily utilized to screen for sickle cell anemia, a genetic disorder characterized by the transformation of normal round RBCs into a crescent or sickle shape. This condition predominantly affects individuals of African descent but can also be found in those of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern backgrounds. The sickled RBCs exhibit impaired flow through the circulatory system and are less effective in oxygen transport. Furthermore, these abnormal cells have a significantly reduced lifespan of approximately 10 to 20 days, compared to the normal lifespan of 120 days for healthy RBCs. As a result, individuals with sickle cell anemia may experience anemia due to the decreased number of circulating RBCs and may suffer from painful episodes caused by complications arising from the obstruction of small blood vessels by sickled cells. The HbS solubility test is performed by introducing a chemical agent to the blood sample, which diminishes the oxygen content. This reduction leads to the formation of polymers associated with hemoglobin S, causing the affected RBCs to sickle. The test is sensitive enough to identify even minimal quantities of hemoglobin S, making it a crucial tool for screening both sickle cell trait (where an individual carries one sickle cell gene) and sickle cell anemia (where an individual carries two sickle cell genes).