Specimen Collection
SPECIMEN:
24 h urine collected in a plastic bottle - non-acidified preferred.
The test of choice for diagnosing and monitoring lead poisoning is the
whole blood lead
level.
Acidified and casual urine acceptable.
Information about contamination of trace element specimens
Whole blood lead
Reference Intervals
Units:
umol/d
|
Reference interval:
0.01 - 0.25
|
Uncertainty of Measurement: 20%
The above reference interval does NOT apply if a chelating agent (e.g. DMSA) has been given.
Turnaround Time: Within 1 week
Assay Method
Principle
: Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Instrument
: PlasmaQuant MS Elite
Diagnostic Use and Interpretation
The test of choice for diagnosing and monitoring lead poisoning is the
whole blood lead
level.
Urinary lead levels are an ancillary test.
Measurement of urinary lead following administration of a chelating agent such as DMSA ("provoked" urine testing) is not a reliable method for diagnosing lead poisoning.
Caution
: "Provoked" urine testing has been used to mislead and defraud patients (see S. Barrett:
www.quackwatch.com
)
Contact Information
Emails to
chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz
will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist.
If the query concerns a specific patient please include the NHI number in your email.
If email is not a suitable option, please contact the on-call chemical pathologist via
Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995).
Individual chemical pathologists may be contacted but will not be available at all times.
After-hours
: contact
Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours.
Dr Samarina Musaad
(Clinical Lead)
:
SamarinaM@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 22402
Dr Cam Kyle:
CampbellK@adhb.govt.nz
ext 22052
Dr Weldon Chiu:
WeldonC@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 23427
Dr Campbell Heron:
CHeron@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 23427
Dr Sakunthala Jayasinghe:
Sakunthala@adhb.govt.nz
ext. 23427
Specimen Transport Instructions for Referring Laboratories
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Instructions for Referral to Labplus
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Aliquot Instructions
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10 mL urine Fridge 4C minimum aliquot 2 mL urine
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Aliquot Transport to labplus
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4C in leak proof containers
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