Chromium, 24 Hour, Urine
Use
Used for screening for occupational exposure to chromium and for monitoring metallic prosthetic implant wear. Chromium urinary levels correlate with exposure, with elevated levels indicating either recent exposure or specimen contamination, and levels greater than 20 mcg/24 hours in prosthesis patients suggest significant wear. Reference intervals (≥18 years: 0.1–1.2 mcg/24 hours) are provided for interpretation.
Special Instructions
Requires 24‑hour urine volume information. Patient preparation: avoid collecting specimens for 96 hours following administration of gadolinium‑ or iodine‑containing contrast media. Collection container must be a clean plastic urine container with no metal cap or glued insert. Refrigerate specimen within 4 hours of completion of collection. Multiple preservation/transport options acceptable; see Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport and Urine Preservatives‑Collection and Transportation for 24‑Hour Urine Specimens for additional instructions.
Limitations
Elevated results may reflect external contamination due to ubiquitous presence of chromium; strict metal‑free collection procedures are essential. Hexavalent chromium is carcinogenic but is rapidly converted in tissues, only trivalent chromium is found in specimens. Interpretation may be confounded by prosthetic composition variation.
New York Approved
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 13362-9
- 3167-4
- 5624-2
- 5624-2
- 13362-9
- 3167-4
Result Turnaround Time
2-8 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Urine
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL
Container
Clean plastic urine container with no metal cap or glued insert; submission in plastic 10‑mL urine tube or clean plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert
Collection Instructions
Collect urine for 24 hours; refrigerate specimen within 4 hours of completion; follow Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport instructions
Patient Preparation
Avoid collecting specimen for 96 hours after gadolinium‑ or iodine‑containing contrast media administration
Causes for Rejection
All specimens evaluated for suitability; potential contamination may lead to rejection
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 28 days |
| Refrigerated | 28 days |
| Frozen | 28 days |