Heavy Metals Panel, 24-hour Urine

Overview

  • EPIC Code:
  • LAB2123
  • Soft Test Code:
  • UH24
  • Send Out Test Code:
  • 36438
Alternate Names
  • Former Name: Heavy Metal Screen, 24-hour Urine
Included Tests

Arsenic 24 hour Urine; Lead 24 hour Urine; Mercury 24 hour Urine


Clinical Significance

Excessive exposure to Heavy Metals can cause acute and chronic toxicity.  Heavy Metals Panel is intended to evaluate and monitor exposure to heavy metals and evaluate the process of detoxification.


Specimen Collection & Preparation

Patient Preparation

Patient should avoid seafood consumption 48 hours prior to specimen collection


Specimen Requirements:

-OR-

7.0 mL aliquot from a well mixed 24 hour Urine Collection  in an metal-free leak-proof container
Minimum Volume:
3.0 mL Urine*

* This volume does not allow for repeat testing

Specimen Information:


Collection Instructions:

Avoid worksite collection

  1. When starting the 24-hour period, urinate and discard (throw-away) this specimen.
  2. NOTE THE TIME From that time on
  3. Collect all urine by urinating into a clean container and transfer into the provided container.
  4. DO NOT URINATE DIRECTLY INTO CONTAINER.
  5. Try to pass the last urine just prior to the end of the 24 hour period. Add this urine into the container. 
  6. Urine Specimen should be kept refrigerated during and after collection. 

Printable Patient Collection Instructions

English 24 Hour Urine Collection

Spanish 24 Hour Urine Collection 

Burmese 24 Hour Urine Collection

Arabic 24 Hour Urine Collection 


Rejection Criteria:

Not collected in acid washed/metal free container

Received ambient in the laboratory


Transport and Storage:
  • Ambient: 48 Hours
  • Refrigerated: 5 days

    Transport

    Cold Packs 

  • Frozen (-20 C or colder): 14 Days

Clinical Interpretation

Reference Range:

Arsenic, 24-Hour Urine ≤80 mcg/L

Lead, 24-Hour Urine <80 mcg/L

Mercury, 24-Hour Urine ≤20 mcg/L


Critical Ranges:

Mercury Toxic Level: > or = 150 mcg/L


Test Comments:

Limitations: Ingestion of seafood within three days of specimen collection can affect results.


Methodology:
  • Inductively Coupled Plasma / Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS)
Clinical Significance

Excessive exposure to Heavy Metals can cause acute and chronic toxicity.  Heavy Metals Panel is intended to evaluate and monitor exposure to heavy metals and evaluate the process of detoxification.


Documentation

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 re-submission with a trace element tube/container is recommended.


Production Schedule

Sites Performed
  • Quest - Chantilly
Days Performed
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Departments
  • Sendouts - Clinical
Turn Around Time

1 to 4 days


Coding & Compliance

CDM

00917003; 00917004


CPT Coding

82175, 83655, 83825 CPT code 81050 may be added at an additional charge for volume measurement