Specimen

Urine More information

Collection Medium:

Minimum:

10 mL from 24 hr urine collection in a plastic bottle, refrigerate 
during collection.
Pediatric Minimum:  5 mL

Rejection Criteria:

Urine collected within 48 hours after administration of a gadolinium 
(Gd) containing contrast media (may occur with MRI studies). Acid 
preserved urine.

Specimen
Instructions:

Specimen must be collected in a plastic container and should be 
refrigerated during collection. Studies indicate that refrigeration of 
urine alone, during and after collection, preserves specimens as well 
as the preservatives mentioned, if tested within 8 days of collection.

Analytic Time:

1 week

Reference Range:

Reference Interval            Ranges
Components                    Ref. Int.
Arsenic, Urine                0.0-35 ug/l
Arsenic, Urine (24 hour)      0.0-50 ug/d
Arsenic per gram creatinine   No reference interval (ug/g crt)
Creatinine(24 hour)           Male
                              3-8 years:  140-700 mg/d
                              9-12 years:  300-1300 mg/d
                              13-17 years:  500-2300 mg/d
                              18-50 years:  1000-2500 mg/d
                              51-80 years:  800-2100 mg/d
                              81 years and older:  600-2000 mg/d

                              Female
                              3-8 years:  140-700 mg/d
                              9-12 years:  300-1300 mg/d
                              13-17 years:  400-1600 mg/d
                              18-50 years:  700-1600 mg/d
                              51-80 years:  500-1400 mg/d
                              81 years and older:  400-1300 mg/d

Interpretive Data:

For specimens with a total arsenic concentration between 35-2000 ug/L, 
the proportion of organic, inorganic, and methylated forms is 
determined. The organic forms of arsenic, most commonly arsenobetaine, 
are considered nontoxic and arise primarily from food. Inorganic forms 
of arsenic [As(III) and As(V)] are most toxic. Methylated forms (MMA 
and DMA) arise primarily from metabolism of inorganic forms but may 
also come from dietary sources and are of moderate toxic potential. 
Specific toxic thresholds for arsenic are not well defined but the 
Biological Exposure Index established by ACGIH for the sum of the 
inorganic and methylated forms of arsenic is 35 ug/L. As this test does 
not detect all species of arsenic, it is expected that the sum of the 
organic, inorganic and methylated forms will not equal the total 
arsenic concentration.

Comments:

Record:  Total volume and collection time on test requisition.
Commercial laboratory studies indicate that refrgieration of urine 
alone, during and after collection, preserves specimen as well as any 
alternative preservatives added before collection, if specimen is 
tested within eight days of collection.

To differentiate between organic and the more toxic inorganic forms, an 
arsenic speciation test is recommended and can be performed with the 
existing specimen by contacting the clinical laboratory lead scientist 
at pager 131-7283.

If urine, arsenic is abnormal, additional testing is performed by the 
reference laboratory.  The patient will be charged for this testing 
when applicable.

Methodology:

Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry

CPT Code:

82175

See Additional Information:
Urine Tests Requiring Preservatives, Refrigeration or Special Containers