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Test Code HGHAR Mercury, Hair

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Hair


Necessary Information


Indicate source of hair (axillary, head, or pubic) if known.



Specimen Required


Supplies: Hair and Nails Collection Kit (T565)

Source: Head, beard, mustache, chest, pubic

Specimen Volume: 0.2 g

Collection Instructions: Prepare and transport specimen per the instructions in the kit or see Collecting Hair and Nails for Metals Testing.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.05 g

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Hair Ambient (preferred)
  Frozen 
  Refrigerated 

Reference Values

0-15 years: Not established

≥16 years: <1.0 mcg/g of hair

Day(s) Performed

Wednesday

CPT Code Information

83825

Clinical Information

Once absorbed and circulating, mercury becomes bound to numerous proteins, including keratin. The concentration of mercury in hair correlates with the severity of clinical symptoms. If the hair can be segregated by length, such an exercise may be useful in identifying the time of exposure.

Report Available

2 to 14 days

Reject Due To

  All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Method Name

Triple-Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS)