Please see Procrit package insert on usage -
"- Evaluate and treat for other causes of anemia:
1) Iron deficiency; 2) Underlying infectious, inflammatory, or malignant processes; 3) Occult blood loss; 4) Underlying hematologic diseases (i.e., thalassemia, refractory anemia, or other myelodysplastic disorders); 5) Vitamin deficiencies: Folic acid or vitamin B12; 6) Hemolysis; 7) Aluminum intoxication; 8) Osteitis fibrosa cystica; or 9) Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA)"
As a routine - before precerting Procrit for CIA - we do iron studies (as well as for CDA - see package insert for guidelines/more info regarding iron studies and creatinine) to have the results on file and to be able to demonstrate to the payer that the patients didn't have underlying anemias prior to chemo treatment. Otherwise, it would be denied.
Best regards,
Lioubov Petrova, CPC