Mercury, Blood

Test Overview

Test Methodology

Triple Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS)

Test Usage

Detecting mercury toxicity.

Reference Range *

<10 ng/mL

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Details

Days Set Up

Monday - Saturday

Analytic Time

1 - 3 days

Soft Order Code

MERC

MiChart Code

Mercury, Blood

Synonyms

Hg
HG-B
MERCURY, BLOOD

Laboratory

Sendout

Reference Laboratory

Mayo HG

Section

Special Testing

Specimen Requirements

Collection Instructions

Royal blue (trace element) and/or Metal-Free aliquot tubes are available from MLabs (800-862-7284). Collect blood in a royal blue top (trace element) tube with EDTA (K2). Immediately mix blood sample by inverting gently 8 times. Refrigerate and send intact whole blood specimen. Do not collect specimens for trace metal testing from patients who have received gadolinium-, iodine-, or barium-containing contrast material within the past 96 hours. These metal-based contrast agents are known to interfere with laboratory techniques commonly used for trace metals analysis.

Contraindications

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.

Normal Volume

6.0 mL whole blood

Minimum Volume

0.3 mL whole blood

Storage Temperature

Refrigerated preferred, ambient or frozen acceptable

Additional Information

Test sent to Mayo Clinic Laboratories.

Billing

CPT Code

83825

Fee Code

33260

LOINC

5685-3