Home
HelpTest Code LAB7546 Arsenic, Blood
Additional Codes
ASB
Useful For
Detecting acute or very recent arsenic exposure
Monitoring the effectiveness of therapy
This test is not useful for evaluation of chronic arsenic exposure.
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
Whole bloodOrdering Guidance
The preferred method of screening for arsenic exposure is measurement of urinary arsenic concentration. Order either SPASU / Arsenic Speciation, 24 Hour, Urine or SPAS / Arsenic Speciation, Random, Urine.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to potentially interfere with most inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry-based metal tests. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.
Supplies: Metal Free B-D Tube (EDTA), 6 mL (T183)
Container/Tube: Royal blue top (EDTA) plastic trace element blood collection tube
Specimen Volume: Full tube
Collection Instructions:
1. See Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport for complete instructions.
2. Send whole blood specimen in original collection tube. Do not aliquot.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole blood | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Ambient | 28 days | ||
| Frozen | 28 days |
Special Instructions
Reference Values
<13 ng/mL
Reference values apply to all ages.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
CPT Code Information
82175
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| ASB | Arsenic, B | 5583-0 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 32190 | Arsenic, B | 5583-0 |
Interpretation
Abnormal blood arsenic concentrations (>12 ng/mL) indicate significant exposure.
Absorbed arsenic is rapidly distributed into tissue storage sites with a blood half-life of less than 6 hours. Unless a blood specimen is drawn within 2 days of exposure, arsenic is not likely to be detected in a blood specimen.
Method Description
The metal of interest is analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Report Available
1 to 2 daysSpecimen Retention Time
14 daysReject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Method Name
Triple Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS)