Arsenic, Blood
Use
This test is useful for detecting acute or very recent arsenic exposure and monitoring the effectiveness of therapy. It is not useful for evaluating chronic arsenic exposure. Blood concentrations of arsenic are elevated for a short time after exposure, after which arsenic rapidly disappears into tissues due to its affinity for tissue proteins. Abnormal blood arsenic concentrations indicate significant exposure and are only detected immediately after exposure.
Special Instructions
The preferred method of screening for arsenic exposure is measurement of urinary arsenic concentration. This test should not be used more than 2 days post-exposure due to arsenic's integration into nonvascular tissues. High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine can interfere with the test, therefore a specimen should not be collected within 96 hours of contrast media administration.
Limitations
The test has limited utility for chronic arsenic exposure as blood is not a good specimen to screen for this, primarily due to arsenic's rapid disappearance into tissues and excretion. It is most effective for detecting arsenic shortly after acute exposure. Blood arsenic concentrations are not reliably detectable in specimens collected beyond a two-day post-exposure window.
New York Approved
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 5583-0
- 5583-0
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Whole Blood
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Container
Royal blue-top BD vacutainer with EDTA blood collection tube
Collection Instructions
See Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport for complete instructions. Send whole blood specimen in original collection tube. Do not aliquot.
Patient Preparation
Avoid specimen collection within 96 hours of gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media administration.
Causes for Rejection
None significant except major specimen issues like hemolysis.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 28 days |
| Refrigerated | 28 days |
| Frozen | 28 days |