Whole Blood

Diet, medication, and nutritional supplements may introduce interfering substances. Patients should be encouraged to discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, nonessential over-the-counter medications (upon the advice of their physician).

Preferred Minimum: 7.0 mL whole blood, royal blue K2 EDTA tube.
Absolute Minimum: 1.0 mL whole blood, royal blue K2 EDTA tube.

Specimens collected in tubes other than Royal Blue (EDTA). Specimens transported in containers other than a Royal Blue (EDTA) tube or Trace Element-Free Transport Tube. Heparin anticoagulant. Clotted specimens.

Sunday-Saturday

1-3 days upon receipt at reference laboratory

4.2 - 16.5 μg/L

Elevated results may be due to skin or collection-related contamination, including the use of a noncertified metal-free collection/transport tube. If contamination concerns exist due to elevated levels of blood manganese, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified metal-free tube is recommended.

Note: Elevated results from noncertified 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.

Royal Blue trace metal tube available from Clinical Pathology Core Laboratory, 6240 RCP.

Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry

83785