Specimen

Urine More information

Collection Medium:

Minimum:

10 mL aliquot from a well-mixed refrigerated collection
Absolute Adult/Pediatric minimum:  5 mL

24 hr or random urine collection in a plastic bottle; refrigerate 
during collection.

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 
adequately, if tested within 14 days of collection.

Analytic Time:

4 days

Reference Range:

COMPONENTS                       REFERENCE INTERVAL
Mercury, Urine                   0-10 ug/L
Mercury, Urine (24-Hour)         0-15 ug/d
Mercury per gram of creatinine   No reference interval (ug/g CRT)

Creatinine (24-hour) mg/dl        Male                 Female
                            3-8 yrs: 140-700      3-8 yrs: 140-700
                            9-12 yrs: 300-1300    9-12 yrs: 300-1300
                            13-17 yrs: 500-2300   13-17 yrs: 400-1600
                            18-50 yrs: 1000-2500  18-50 yrs: 700-1600
                            51-80 yrs: 800-2100   51-80 yrs: 500-1400
                            81 yrs+: 600-2000     81 yrs+: 400-1300

Interpretive Data:

Urine mercury concentration may correlate better with inorganic mercury 
exposure than blood concentrations since organic mercury is eliminated 
primarily in the feces.  Urine mercury levels may also be used to 
monitor chelation therapy.

Comments:

Record total volume and collection time interval on transport tube and 
on test request form.

Stability: Mercury is volatile; concentration may reduce after seven 
days or more storage.

Methodology:

Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry

CPT Code:

83825

See Additional Information:
Collection and Preservation of 24-Hour Urine Specimens
Urine Tests Requiring Preservatives, Refrigeration or Special Containers