Heavy Metals Panel (Venous)

Test Code

HVMB

Quest Code

7655

CPT Codes
82175, 83655, 83825

Includes

Arsenic, Blood
Lead (Venous)
Mercury, Blood

Preferred Specimen

4 mL whole blood collected in an EDTA (royal blue-top) tube

Patient Preparation

Avoid seafood consumption for 48 hours prior to sample collection

Other Acceptable Specimens

Sodium heparin (royal blue-top) tube

Instructions

Carefully clean skin prior to venipuncture. Avoid worksite collection.

Transport Container

EDTA (royal blue-top) tube

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 5 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: Unacceptable

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Clotted specimen • EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Methodology
Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS)

FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Limitations

Ingestion of seafood within three days of specimen collection can affect results.

Reference Range

Arsenic, Blood

<23 mcg/L

Whole Blood Arsenic level >100 mcg/L is indicative of acute/chronic exposure. Urine is usually the best specimen for the analysis of arsenic in body fluids. Blood levels tend to be low even when urine concentrations are high.

Lead (Venous)

Birth-6 years	<3.5 mcg/dL
>6 years	<3.5 mcg/dL

Blood lead levels in the range of 5-9 mcg/dL have been associated with adverse health effects in children aged 6 years and younger. Patient management varies by age and CDC Blood Lead Level range. Refer to the CDC website regarding Lead Publications/Case Management for recommended interventions.

Mercury, Blood

≤10 mcg/L

Clinical Significance

Useful in the diagnosis of toxicity due to Arsenic, Lead or Mercury.

Performing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute-Chantilly VA

14225 Newbrook Drive

Chantilly, VA 20151-2228

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.