Sign in →

Test Code HMHA Heavy Metals, Hair

Profile Information

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
ASHA Arsenic, Hair Yes Yes
PBHA Lead, Hair Yes Yes
HGHAR Mercury, Hair Yes Yes

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 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

ARSENIC

0-15 years: Not established

≥16 years: <1.0 mcg/g of hair

 

LEAD

<4.0 mcg/g of hair

Reference values apply to all ages.

 

MERCURY

0-15 years: Not established

≥16 years:<1.0 mcg/g of hair

Day(s) Performed

Wednesday

CPT Code Information

82175

83655

83825

Clinical Information

Arsenic:

Arsenic circulating in the blood will bind to protein by formation of a covalent complex with sulfhydryl groups of the amino acid cysteine. Keratin, the major structural protein in hair and nails, contains many cysteine residues and, therefore, is one of the major sites for accumulation of arsenic. Since arsenic has a high affinity for keratin, the concentration of arsenic in hair is higher than in other tissues.

 

Arsenic binds to keratin at the time of exposure, "trapping" the arsenic in hair. Therefore, hair analysis for arsenic is not only used to document that an exposure occurred, but when it occurred. Hair collected from the nape of the neck can be used to document recent exposure. Axillary or pubic hairs are used to document long-term (6 months-1 year) exposure.

 

Mercury:

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 can be useful in identifying the time of exposure.

 

Lead:

Hair analysis for lead can be used to corroborate blood analysis or to document past lead exposure. If the hair is collected and segmented in a time sequence (based on length from root), the approximate time of exposure can be assessed.

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)