Test Details
Methodology
Inductively-coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP/MS)
Result Turnaround Time
2 - 5 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.
Test Includes
Mercury, urine; creatinine, urine; mercury:creatinine ratio
Use
Monitor exposure to mercury (primarily inorganic mercury). Some organic forms of mercury, including phenylmercury, are metabolized to inorganic mercury; however, methylmercury and ethylmercury are not metabolized to inorganic mercury and the primary route of excretion is in the bile and stool; consequently, these alkylmercury compounds are usually not detected in urine.2
Special Instructions
Sampling time is preshift for industrial monitoring. Request form must state 24-hour collection volume, if applicable. Do not use preservative. Preservatives used for routine analysis may contain mercuric oxide (ie, Stabilur), which interferes with all metal testing. If both urinalysis and metal testing are ordered, please submit a separate urine specimen (containing no additive) for the metal testing.
Limitations
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by LabCorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Footnotes
Custom Additional Information
BEI® are reference values intended as guidelines for evaluation of occupational exposure. BEI® represent biological levels of chemicals that correspond to workers with inhalation exposure equivalent to the threshold limit value (TLV®) of the chemicals. TLVs refer to the airborne concentrations of substances and represent conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed, day after day, without adverse health effects.1
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Urine (random or 24-hour)
Volume
5 mL
Minimum Volume
2.5 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Plastic urine container, no preservative
Collection Instructions
Sampling time is preshift (meaning 16 hours without exposure).
Optional protocol: Instruct the patient to void at 8 AM and discard the specimen. Then collect all urine including the final specimen voided at the end of the 24-hour collection period (ie, 8 AM the next morning). Screw the lid on securely. Mix well.
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 14 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x3 |
Reference Range
• Environmental exposure: <5.0 μg/g creatinine, <20.0 μg/L
• Occupational exposure: BEI® (inorganic mercury, sampling time is preshift): 20 μg/g creatinine1
Storage Instructions
Maintain specimen at room temperature.
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 007773 | Mercury, Urine | 21383-5 | 019307 | Mercury, Urine | ug/L | 21383-5 |
| 007773 | Mercury, Urine | 21383-5 | 019356 | Mercury,Urine 24 Hr | ug/24 hr | 6693-6 |
| 007773 | Mercury, Urine | 21383-5 | 723280 | Creatinine(Crt),U | g/L | 2161-8 |
| 007773 | Mercury, Urine | 21383-5 | 019310 | Mercury/Creat. Ratio | ug/g creat | 13465-0 |
| Order Code | 007773 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Mercury, Urine | |||||
| Order Loinc | 21383-5 | |||||
| Result Code | 019307 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Mercury, Urine | |||||
| UofM | ug/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 21383-5 | |||||
| Order Code | 007773 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Mercury, Urine | |||||
| Order Loinc | 21383-5 | |||||
| Result Code | 019356 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Mercury,Urine 24 Hr | |||||
| UofM | ug/24 hr | |||||
| Result LOINC | 6693-6 | |||||
| Order Code | 007773 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Mercury, Urine | |||||
| Order Loinc | 21383-5 | |||||
| Result Code | 723280 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Creatinine(Crt),U | |||||
| UofM | g/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 2161-8 | |||||
| Order Code | 007773 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Mercury, Urine | |||||
| Order Loinc | 21383-5 | |||||
| Result Code | 019310 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Mercury/Creat. Ratio | |||||
| UofM | ug/g creat | |||||
| Result LOINC | 13465-0 |