Mercury, Random Urine
| Label Mnemonic: | HGUR |
| Epic code: | LAB8531 |
| Downtime form: | Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery |
6240-8 RCP
356-8593
Patient Prep: Diet, medication, and nutritional supplements may introduce interfering substances. Patients should be encouraged to discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, and non- essential over-the-counter medications (upon the advice of their physician), and avoid shellfish and seafood for 48 to 72 hours. High concentrations of iodine may interfere with elemental testing. Collection of urine specimens from patients receiving iodinated or gadolinium-based contrast media should be avoided for a minimum of 72 hours post-exposure. Collection from patients with impaired kidney function should be avoided for a minimum of 14 days postcontrast media exposure.
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| Urine (Random)-BD Vacutainer®, no additive yellow top |
Preferred Minimum: 8 mL random urine
Absolute Minimum: 1 mL random urine
Urine collected within 72 hours after administration of iodinated or gadolinium-based contrast media. Acid preserved urine. Specimens contaminated with blood or fecal material. Specimens transported in non-trace element free transport tube (with the exception of the original device).
1–5 days upon receipt at reference laboratory
Mercury, Urine - per Volume: Less than or equal to 5.0 microg/L
Mercury, Urine - ratio to CRT: Less than or equal to 20.0 microg/g CRT
Urinary mercury concentrations predominantly reflect acute or chronic elemental or inorganic mercury exposure. Urine concentrations in unexposed individuals are typically less than 10 ug/L. 24-hour urine concentrations of 30 to 100 ug/L may be associated with subclinical neuropsychiatric symptoms and tremors. Concentrations greater than 100 ug/L can be associated with overt neuropsychiatric disturbances and tremors. Urine mercury levels may be useful in monitoring chelation therapy.
Elevated results may be due to skin or collection-related contamination, including the use of collection containers that are not certified to be trace element-free. If an elevated result is suspected to be due to contamination, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified trace element-free container is recommended.
Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
Mercury is volatile; concentration may decrease over time.