Hepcidin, a small 25 amino acid peptide hormone made in the liver, is the principal regulator of systemic iron homeostasis.

Hepcidin inhibits cellular iron transfer to blood plasma by binding to and inducing internalization of the sole known iron exporter ferroportin, which delivers iron to blood plasma from iron absorption in the intestine and iron recycling by macrophages. Hepcidin regulates extracellular iron in response to changes in dietary and systemic iron, anemia, hypoxia, inflammation, and erythropoiesis.

To learn more about iron disorders, click here.

We recommend a sample from a fasting patient, a first morning sample after the 8-12 hours fast. If that is not possible, avoiding iron rich meals and iron supplements is recommended before the sample collection visit.

Yes, the test needs to be ordered by a physician before the blood sample is collected and sent for testing. The completed Laboratory Requisition form should accompany each sample.

Serum samples are preferable (collected in either in gold top or yellow top tube), Li-Heparin plasma sample are also acceptable (collected in green top tube). EDTA plasma samples (lavender top tube) are acceptable, but we generally do not recommend them, unless this is the only available option for a send out laboratory.

We do not provide the kits for blood collection at this time. Please refer to Sample Collection and Shipping Instructions

Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm.  We are closed during federal holidays.

The physician, the patient or the patient’s guardian, or a person authorized by the patient.

The typical turnaround time is 10 business days but this may be extended to up to 25 business days from receipt of samples. Patients should also allow time for the physician to review results prior to scheduling a follow up visit.

Please refer to Intrinsic Hepcidin IDx™ Test Specifications page for normal (reference) ranges, depending on gender and sample type.

The physician will utilize hepcidin collectively with additional diagnostic tests, as deemed appropriate, to help manage iron disorders.

Presently the Intrinsic Hepcidin IDx™ Test is not covered by insurance and there is no CPT code. Thus the cost of the Intrinsic Hepcidin IDx™ Test will be billed directly to the patient or institution. We accept payments by check and credit card. All other tests offered by IntrinsicDx are reimbursed by all major insurance providers

Please see the list of selected publications here.

Erythroferrone (ERFE) is a 354 amino acid protein that serves as the erythropoietic regulator of iron availability. It is produced by erythroblasts in the bone marrow in response to erythropoietin (EPO).​

When the body is under erythropoietic stress, erythroferrone (ERFE) acts to inhibit the expression of hepcidin leading to an increase in serum iron. This provides for the synthesis of hemoglobin utilized by the expanding pool of erythroblasts.​