Aluminum

Al

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1232138, Beaker: ALUMINUM, Quest: 2958

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Royal Blue-top tube trace elements with no additives.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Allow the specimen to clot for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 4 hours. Centrifuge to separate serum from cells within 6 hours of collection. Transfer serum to a metal-free plastic transport tube and maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 2.0 mL serum in metal free plastic transport tube at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 0.7 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Specimens received in tubes other than metal-free transport tube.
• Specimens not separated from red cells or clot within 4 hours of collection.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Allow the specimen to clot for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 4 hours. Centrifuge to separate serum from cells within 6 hours of collection. Transfer serum to a metal-free plastic transport tube and maintain at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F).

Transport: 1.2 mL serum in metal free plastic transport tube at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 0.7 mL)  

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 14 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 21 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Quest Diagnostics, Wood Dale, IL.

Performed

Monday – Saturday.
Results available in 2-4 days.

Reference Range

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

Test Methodology

Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry

Clinical Utility

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.

CPT Codes

82108

Contacts

Last Updated

12/17/2025