Mercury, 24 Hour Urine

Test Code

MER24

Quest Code

36441

CPT Codes
83825

Includes

CPT code 81050 may be added at an additional charge for volume measurement

Preferred Specimen

PATIENT PREPARATION:
AVOID SEAFOOD CONSUMPTION FOR 48 HOURS PRIOR TO COLLECTION.

7 ML ALIQUOT OF A WELL MIXED 24 HOUR URINE COLLECTED IN AN
ACID WASHED OR METAL FREE CONTAINER

INSTRUCTIONS:
AVOID WORKSITE COLLECTION. COLLECT URINE IN AN ACID WASHED
OR METAL FREE PLASTIC CONTAINER.

Minimum Volume

3 ML

Other Acceptable Specimens

TESTS PERFORMED ON A SPECIMEN SUBMITTED IN A NON-TRACE
ELEMENT TUBE OR NON ACID WASHED/NON METAL FREE CONTAINER 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 A RE-SUBMISSION WITH A TRACE ELEMENT TUBE/
CONTAINER IS RECOMMENDED.

Transport Container

ACID WASHED PLASTIC URINE CONTAINER

Transport Temperature

REFRIGERATED (COLD PACKS)

Specimen Stability

ROOM TEMPERATURE: 48 HOURS
REFRIGERATED: 5 DAYS
FROZEN: 14 DAYS

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

Setup Schedule

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY

Report Available

5 DAYS

Reference Range

Reference Range	≤20 mcg/L
Toxic	≥150 mcg/L

Clinical Significance

Mercury, a highly toxic metal, is present in select industrial environments and in contaminated ocean fish. Urinary measurements are appropriate for assessing ongoing exposure to inorganic mercury.

Performing Laboratory
QUEST DIAGNOSTICS/NICHOLS CHANTILLY 14225 NEWBROOK DRIVE CHANTILLY VA 20151-2228

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.