Mercury, Blood

Test Code
636


CPT Codes
83825

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


Minimum Volume
2 mL


Other Acceptable Specimens
Sodium heparin (royal blue-top) tube

Tests performed on a specimen submitted in a non-trace element tube/container (non-acid washed) 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 re-submission with a trace element tube/container is recommended.


Instructions
Carefully clean skin prior to venipuncture. Avoid worksite collection


Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (cold packs)


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


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


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

Setup Schedule
Set up: Daily; Reoprt available: 1-4 days


Report Available
1 to 4 Day(s)


Clinical Significance
Mercury, a highly toxic metal, is present in select industrial environments and in contaminated ocean fish.




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.