Mercury, Blood

Test Code

636

Preferred Specimen

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

Minimum Volume

2 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Whole blood collected in a sodium heparin (royal blue-top) tube

Instructions

Carefully clean skin prior to venipuncture. Avoid worksite collection.

Note: 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.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 5 days
Refrigerated: 7 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; Report available: Next day

Reference Range

≤10 mcg/L

Clinical Significance

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

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.