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Mercury Level, Blood

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB6097, Beaker: XHG, Mayo: HG

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere with most metals tests. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Royal Blue-top EDTA tube.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Do not centrifuge. Maintain whole blood at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 6.0 mL whole blood, at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 0.3 mL)

Rejection Criteria

Specimens not collected or processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Do not centrifuge. Maintain whole blood at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F) prior to transport.

Transport: 6.0 mL whole blood, at room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 0.3 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 28 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 28 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 28 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 Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester, MN.

Performed

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

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

 Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry.

Interpretation

Dietary and non-occupational exposure to organic mercury species may contribute to an elevated total mercury result.

Elevated results from non-certified trace element-free collection tubes may be due to contamination. Elevated concentrations of trace elements in blood should be confirmed with a second specimen collected in a tube designed for trace element determinations, such as a royal blue, Na₂EDTA tube.

Clinical Utility

This assay is used to detect mercury toxicity.

CPT Codes

83825

Contacts

Last Updated

10/9/2023