Arsenic, Blood

Test Code

269

CPT Codes
82175

Preferred Specimen

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

Patient Preparation
Avoid seafood consumption for 48 hours before sample collection.

Minimum Volume

2 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Whole blood collected in: Sodium heparin (royal blue-top) tube

Instructions

Carefully clean skin before venipuncture. Avoid work-site collection.

Tests performed on a specimen submitted in a non-trace element tube may not accurately reflect the patient's level. If a non-trace element tube 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 is recommended.

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 10 days
Refrigerated: 10 days
Frozen: Unacceptable

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

Clotted specimens

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 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Set up: Mon-Sat p.m.; Report available: Same day

Limitations

Arsenic may only be present in blood for 4-6 hours. This test is most accurate in acute poisoning.

Reference Range

<23 mcg/L

Clinical Significance

This assay is used to monitor exposure to arsenic, wellness, and therapy during treatment of chronic myelocytic leukemia.

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153

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.