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Mercury, Blood
Test CodeMERC
Alias/See Also
Blood Mercury
Quest Code
636
Quest Code
636
CPT Codes
83825
Preferred Specimen
4 mL whole blood collected in an EDTA (royal blue-top) tube
Minimum Volume
2 mL
Patient Preparation
Avoid seafood consumption for 48 hours prior to sample collection.
Patient Preparation
Avoid seafood consumption for 48 hours prior to sample collection.
Instructions
Carefully clean skin prior to venipuncture.
Tests performed on a specimen submitted in a non-trace element tube or non acid washed/non metal free container may not accurately reflect the patient's level. If a non-trace element tube/container is received, it will be accepted for testing. However, elevated results shall be reported with a message that a re-submission with a trace element tube/container is recommended.
Tests performed on a specimen submitted in a non-trace element tube or non acid washed/non metal free container may not accurately reflect the patient's level. If a non-trace element tube/container is received, it will be accepted for testing. However, elevated results shall be reported with a message that a re-submission with a trace element tube/container is recommended.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 5 days
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: unacceptable
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: unacceptable
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Clotted specimens
Methodology
Inductively Coupled Plasma / Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS)
Setup Schedule
Monday-Saturday p.m.
Report Available
Next day
Clinical Significance
The primary clinical utility of blood mercury is the determination of abnormal exposures seen at levels over 20 µg/L. Mercury is absorbed via the respiratory tract (mercury vapors), skin, and gastrointestinal tract. Mercury poisoning can cause kidney damage. The chronic effect of mercury poisoning includes inflammation of mouth and gums, loosening of the teeth, kidney damage, nervousness, depression, and spasms.
Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
Chantilly, VA