Blood

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

Adult Minimum: 7.0 mL whole blood from Royal Blue (K2 EDTA) tube
Absolute Minimum: 0.5 mL whole blood from Royal Blue (K2 EDTA) tube

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

1-3 days upon receipt at reference laboratory

0.0 - 5.0 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 cadmium, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified metal-free tube is recommended.

Blood cadmium levels can be used to monitor acute toxicity and in combination with cadmium urine and B-2 microglobulin is the preferred method for monitoring occupational exposure. Symptoms associated with cadmium toxicity vary based upon route of exposure and may include tubular proteinuria, fever, headache, dyspnea, chest pain, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, sore throat and cough. Ingestion of cadmium in high concentration may cause vomiting, diarrhea, salivation, cramps, and abdominal pain.

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

Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry

82300