Test Details
Methodology
Inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS)
Result Turnaround Time
2 - 4 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Use
Monitor exposure to zinc; evaluate suspected nutritional inadequacy (especially in enteral or parental nutrition, critically ill or burn patients); cases of diabetes or delayed wound healing; growth retardation; follow therapy (for example, when higher intravenous zinc doses are used to balance excessive ongoing GI losses in long-term total parenteral nutrition); follow oral zinc therapy in Wilson's disease; confirm acrodermatitis enteropathica and follow therapy
Limitations
Levels may be low in fever, sepsis, estrogen therapy, stress, or myocardial infarction, reflecting mobilization from serum to the liver by interleukin. Levels are usually low in uremia with normal tissue levels. Levels may be high in familial hyperzincemia without toxicity or high zinc stores.
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Labcorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
References
Custom Additional Information
Chronic oral zinc supplementation interferes with copper absorption and may precipitate copper deficiency. Albumin is the primary zinc binding protein: zinc levels should be interpreted with awareness of serum albumin level.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Plasma (preferred) or serum
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.4 mL
Container
Royal blue-top (EDTA) tube or royal blue-top tube without EDTA
Collection Instructions
Separate serum from cells within 45 minutes of collection, and transfer to a certified metal-free transport tube (PeopleSoft N° 111166) for shipment to the laboratory. Plasma may be separated immediately and transferred to a certified metal-free plastic transport tube (PeopleSoft N° 111166) for shipment to the laboratory.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 28 days |
Refrigerated | 28 days |
Frozen | 28 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x4 |
Reference Range
Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
0 to 2 m | 50–123 | 50–123 |
3 to 4 m | 44–133 | 51–124 |
5 to 10 m | 49–134 | 49–134 |
≥11 m | 44–115 | 44–115 |
Storage Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature.
Causes for Rejection
Certified metal-free plastic transport tube not submitted; unspun royal blue-top tube from which the plasma or serum has not been removed; gel-barrier tube
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001800 | Zinc, Plasma or Serum | 5763-8 | 001800 | Zinc, Plasma or Serum | ug/dL | 5763-8 |
| Order Code | 001800 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Zinc, Plasma or Serum | |||||
| Order Loinc | 5763-8 | |||||
| Result Code | 001800 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Zinc, Plasma or Serum | |||||
| UofM | ug/dL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 5763-8 |