Aluminum

Test Code

ALUMS

Quest Code

2958

CPT Codes
82108

Preferred Specimen

2 mL serum collected in a no additive (royal blue-top) trace element tube

Minimum Volume

0.7 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Plasma collected in: EDTA (royal blue-top) tube or sodium heparin (royal blue-top) tube

Instructions

Draw one (royal blue-top) tube of blood and discard. Draw second (royal-blue top) tube. Allow to clot in an upright position. Centrifuge and pour (do not pipette) the serum or plasma into an acid-washed or metal-free vial.

Transport Container

Acid-washed or metal-free vial

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 4 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 30 days

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; Report available: 1-2 days

Limitations

This measure is very sensitive to aluminum containing medications, e.g., aluminum-containing antacids, and may continue to test as elevated for a prolonged period of time after the medication is stopped.

Reference Range

Serum/Plasma	<7 mcg/L
Dialysis Patient	<40 mcg/L

Clinical Significance

Individuals undergoing hemodialysis are at risk for aluminum toxicity. Prolonged accumulation may cause anemia, encephalopathy, and vitamin D-resistant osteomalacia. Also, workers exposed to high levels or to long-term low levels of aluminum dust are at increased risk of toxicity.

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

Last Updated: November 10, 2015

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.