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Mercury, Blood
Test Code636
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
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
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: Mon-Sat; Report Available: 4-5 days
Clinical Significance
Mercury, a highly toxic metal, is present in select industrial environments and in contaminated ocean fish.
