Mercury, 24 Hour, Urine
Use
Detecting mercury toxicity using 24‑hour urine specimens. The correlation between urinary mercury excretion levels and clinical symptoms is considered poor; urinary levels may reflect both inorganic and demethylated organic mercury (e.g., seafood consumption contributing up to ~30%) and thus may not directly correlate with toxicity signs ([mayocliniclabs.com](https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/8592?utm_source=openai)).
Special Instructions
Patient preparation: High concentrations of gadolinium or iodine contrast media may interfere—specimens should not be collected for 96 hours post‑administration ([mayocliniclabs.com](https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/8592?utm_source=openai)). Supplies: Urine tubes (10 mL T068); collection container must be clean plastic, without metal cap or glued insert; submission container similarly must be plastic without metal cap or glued insert ([mayocliniclabs.com](https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/8592?utm_source=openai)).
Limitations
Urinary mercury concentration correlates poorly with clinical symptoms. Urine may contain both organic and inorganic mercury due to demethylation; seafood consumption may contribute significantly to urinary mercury. Specimens collected near contamination sources (e.g., dust) may be falsely elevated. Interference by gadolinium or iodine-containing media if collected too soon after administration must be avoided ([mayocliniclabs.com](https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/8592?utm_source=openai)).
New York Approved
Methodology
Mass Spectrometry (ICP‑MS/MS)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 6693-6
- 6693-6
- 13362-9
- 3167-4
Result Turnaround Time
1-3 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Urine
Volume
3 mL
Minimum Volume
Not provided
Container
Clean, plastic urine container with no metal cap or glued insert; submission container: 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 of 24‑hour collection; necessary information: 24‑Hour volume (mL) required
Patient Preparation
Avoid collection for 96 hours after gadolinium‑ or iodine‑containing contrast media administration
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
| Frozen | 7 days |