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Test Code TLU Thallium, 24 Hour, Urine

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Urine


Necessary Information


24-Hour volume (in milliliters) is required.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to potentially interfere with most inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry-based metal tests. If either gadolinium or iodine containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.

Supplies: Urine Tubes, 10 mL (T068)

Collection Container/Tube: Clean, plastic urine container with no metal cap or glued insert

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube or a clean, plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert

Specimen Volume: 10 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect urine for 24 hours.

2. Refrigerate specimen within 4 hours of completion of 24-hour collection.

3. Aliquot 10 mL into a plastic 10-mL urine tube (T068) or a clean, plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert.

4. See Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport for complete instructions.

Additional Information: See Urine Preservatives-Collection and Transportation for 24-Hour Urine Specimens for multiple collections.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
  Ambient  28 days
  Frozen  28 days

Reference Values

0-17 years: Not established

≥18 years: <2 mcg/24 hours

Day(s) Performed

Tuesday, Friday

CPT Code Information

83018

Clinical Information

Thallium is odorless, tasteless, and found in trace amounts in the earth's crust. It is used in the manufacturing of electronic devices, switches, and closures. It has previously been used in rodenticides. The greatest exposure can occur from eating food (eg, fruits and vegetables) since it's easily taken up by plants through the roots. Cigarette smoking is also a source of exposure. Accidental ingestion may lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and leg pains, followed by a severe and sometimes fatal sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy may occur within 1 week of exposure, while hair loss begins and continues for several weeks. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including pain, diarrhea, and constipation have also been reported in acute ingestion, along with myalgias, pleuritic chest pain, insomnia, optic neuritis, hypertension, cardiac abnormalities, Mees lines, and liver injury. Most thallium is excreted in the urine, can be found within an hour after exposure, and can be detected as long as two months after exposure.

Report Available

2 to 5 days

Reject Due To

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

Method Name

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Urine Preservative Collection Options

Note: The addition of preservative or application of temperature controls must occur within 4 hours of completion of the collection.

Ambient (no additive)

OK

Refrigerate (no additive)

Preferred

Frozen (no additive)

OK

50% Acetic Acid

OK

Boric Acid

No

Diazolidinyl Urea

No

6M Hydrochloric Acid

OK

6M Nitric Acid

OK

Sodium Carbonate

No

Thymol

No