Heavy Metal Screen
Label Mnemonic: HMSB
Epic code: LAB3272
Downtime form: A-1a Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery
Commercial Mailout Laboratory
6240-8 RCP
356-8593
Specimen(s):
Whole Blood
Specimen Instructions:
Patient Prep: 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), and avoid shellfish and seafood for 48 to 72 hours.
Collection Medium:
Royal Blue K2 EDTA tube
Minimum:
Preferred Minimum: 7 mL whole blood collected in full Royal Blue top tube
Absolute Minimum: 0.5 mL whole blood

Royal Blue Trace Metal tubes are available from Specimen Control, 6240 RCP.
Rejection Criteria:
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.
Turn Around Time:
5 days upon receipt at reference laboratory
Reference Range:
Components             Reference Interval
Arsenic, Blood         0.0-12.0 μg/L
Mercury, Whole Blood   0.0-10.0 μg/L
Lead, Blood (Venous)   0.0-4.9 μg/dL

Note: Mercury is volatile; concentration may decrease 
over time. If the specimen is drawn and stored in the appropriate 
container, the arsenic and lead values do not change with time
Comments:
Includes Arsenic, Lead and Mercury.

Mercury is volatile; concentration may decrease over time. If the specimen is drawn and stored in the appropriate container, the arsenic and lead values do not change with time.
Methodology:
Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
CPT Code:
82175 Arsenic, 83655 Lead, 83825 Mercury