Test Catalog

Test Id : HMU24

Heavy Metals Screen, with Reflex, 24 Hour, Urine

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Detecting arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead exposure and toxicity using 24-hour urine specimens

Profile Information
A profile is a group of laboratory tests that are ordered and performed together under a single Mayo Test ID. Profile information lists the test performed, inclusive of the test fee, when a profile is ordered and includes reporting names and individual availability.

Test Id Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
ASHU Arsenic, 24 Hr, U Yes, (order ASU24) Yes
CDHMU Cadmium, 24 Hr, U Yes, (order CDU) Yes
HGHU Mercury, 24 Hr, U Yes, (order HGU) Yes
PBHU Lead, 24 Hr, U Yes, (order PBU) Yes

Reflex Tests
Lists tests that may or may not be performed, at an additional charge, depending on the result and interpretation of the initial tests.

Test Id Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
SPASU Arsenic Speciation, 24 Hr, U Yes No

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

If arsenic concentration is greater than or equal to 10 mcg/L, then speciation will be performed at an additional charge.

Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test

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

NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.

Yes

Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test

Heavy Metal Scrn w/Reflex, 24 Hr, U

Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching

Arsenic (As)

As (Arsenic)

Cadmium (Cd)

Cd (Cadmium)

Hg (Mercury)

Lead (Pb)

Mercury (Hg)

Metals Screens

Pb (Lead)

Toxicology Quantitative Screen, Metals

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

If arsenic concentration is greater than or equal to 10 mcg/L, then speciation will be performed at an additional charge.

Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing

Urine

ORDER QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Question ID Description Answers
TIME4 Collection Duration
VL16 Total Volume

Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing

1. High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere with most metal tests. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.

2. Patient should not eat seafood for a 48-hour period prior to start of, or during, collection.

Supplies: Urine Tubes, 10 mL (T068)

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

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube

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. 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.

Special Instructions
Library of PDFs including pertinent information and forms related to the test

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

Refrigerate

Preferred

Frozen

OK

50% Acetic Acid

OK

Boric Acid

No

Diazolidinyl Urea

No

6M Hydrochloric Acid

OK

6M Nitric Acid

No

Sodium Carbonate

No

Thymol

No

Toluene

No

Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the Testing Laboratory

3 mL

Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected

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

Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
Frozen 7 days

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Detecting arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead exposure and toxicity using 24-hour urine specimens

Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.

If arsenic concentration is greater than or equal to 10 mcg/L, then speciation will be performed at an additional charge.

Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Arsenic:

Arsenic (As) is a naturally occurring element that is usually found in the environment combined with other elements such as oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur. Arsenic combined with these elements is called inorganic arsenic. Arsenic combined with carbon and hydrogen is referred to as organic arsenic. The organic forms (eg, arsenobetaine and arsenocholine) are relatively nontoxic, while the inorganic forms are toxic. The toxic inorganic forms are arsenite (As[3+]/As[III]) and arsenate (As[5+]/As[V]). Inorganic As(V) is readily reduced to inorganic As(III), which is then primarily broken down to less toxic methylated metabolites monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and, subsequently, dimethylarsinic acid (DMA).

 

People are exposed to arsenic by eating food, drinking water, or breathing air. Of these, food is usually the largest source of arsenic. The predominant dietary source of arsenic is seafood, followed by rice/rice cereal, mushrooms, and poultry. While seafood contains the greatest amounts of arsenic, for fish and shellfish, this is mostly in an organic form of arsenic called arsenobetaine, which is much less harmful. Some seaweed may contain arsenic in the inorganic form, which is more toxic. In the United States, some areas also contain high natural levels of arsenic in rock, which can lead to elevated levels in the soil and drinking water. Occupational (eg, copper or lead smelting, wood treating, or pesticide application) exposure is another source where people may be introduced to elevated levels of arsenic. Lastly, hazardous waste sites may contain large quantities of arsenic and, if not disposed of properly may get into the surrounding water, air, or soil.

 

A wide range of signs and symptoms may be seen in acute arsenic poisoning, including headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypotension, fever, hemolysis, seizures, and mental status changes. Symptoms of chronic poisoning, also called arseniasis, are mostly insidious and nonspecific. The gastrointestinal tract, skin, and central nervous system are usually involved. Nausea, epigastric pain, colic abdominal pain, diarrhea, and paresthesias of the hands and feet can also occur.

 

Since arsenic is excreted predominantly by glomerular filtration, measurement of arsenic in urine is the most reliable means of detecting arsenic exposures within the last several days.

 

Cadmium:

The toxicity of cadmium (Cd) resembles the other heavy metals (arsenic, mercury, and lead) in that it attacks the kidney; kidney dysfunction with proteinuria with slow onset (over a period of years) is the typical presentation. Measurable changes in proximal tubule function, such as decreased clearance of para-aminohippuric acid also occur over a period of years and precede overt kidney failure.

 

Breathing the fumes of cadmium vapors leads to nasal epithelial deterioration and pulmonary congestion resembling chronic emphysema.

 

For nonsmokers, the primary source of cadmium exposure is from the food supply. In general, leafy vegetables such as lettuce and spinach, potatoes and grains, peanuts, soybeans, and sunflower seeds contain high levels of cadmium. For smokers, the most common source of cadmium exposure is tobacco smoke, which has been implicated as the primary sources of the metal leading to reproductive toxicity in both males and females.

 

The concentration of cadmium in the kidneys and in the urine is elevated in some patients exposed to cadmium.

 

Mercury:

The correlation between the levels of mercury (Hg) excretion in the urine and the clinical symptoms is considered poor.

 

Previous thought indicated urine as a more appropriate marker of inorganic mercury because organic mercury represented only a small fraction of urinary mercury. Based on possible demethylation of methylmercury within the body, urine may represent a mixture of dietary methylmercury and inorganic mercury. Seafood consumption can contribute to urinary mercury levels (up to 30%),(1) which is consistent with the suggestion that due to demethylation processes in the human body, a certain proportion of urinary mercury can originate from dietary consumption of fish/seafood.(2)

 

For additional information, see HG / Mercury, Blood

 

Lead:

Increased urine lead (Pb) excretion rate indicates significant lead exposure. Measurement of urine lead excretion rate before and after chelation therapy has been used as an indicator of lead exposure.

 

However, the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT 2010) position statement on post-chelator challenge urinary metal testing states that "post-challenge urinary metal testing has not been scientifically validated, has no demonstrated benefit, and may be harmful when applied in the assessment and treatment of patients in whom there is concern for metal poisoning."

 

Blood lead measurement is the best test for clinical correlation of toxicity.

 

For additional information, see PBDV / Lead, Venous, with Demographics, Blood.

Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

ARSENIC:

0-17 years: Not established

> or =18 years: <35 mcg/24 h

 

CADMIUM:

0-17 years: Not established

> or =18 years: <0.7mcg/24 h

 

MERCURY:

0-17 years: Not established

> or =18 years: <2 mcg/24 h

Toxic concentration: >50 mcg/24 h

 

The concentration at which toxicity is expressed is widely variable between patients.

50 mcg/24 h is the lowest concentration at which toxicity is usually apparent.

 

LEAD:

0-17 years: Not established

> or =18 years: <2 mcg/24 h

Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

Arsenic:

Mayo Clinic uses the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) biological exposure index (BEI) as the reference value. The BEI is the sum of all the toxic species (inorganic arsenic plus methylated arsenic metabolites).

 

Physiologically, arsenic exists in a number of toxic and nontoxic forms. The total arsenic concentration reflects all the arsenic present in the sample regardless of species (eg, inorganic vs. methylated vs. organic arsenic). The measurement of urinary total arsenic levels is generally accepted as the most reliable indicator of recent arsenic exposure. However, if the total urine arsenic concentration is elevated, arsenic speciation must be performed to identify if it is a toxic form (eg, inorganic and methylated arsenic forms) or a relatively nontoxic organic form (eg, arsenobetaine and arsenocholine).

 

The inorganic toxic forms of arsenic (eg, As[III] and As[V]) are found in the urine shortly after ingestion, whereas the less toxic methylated forms, monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), are the species that predominate longer than 24 hours after ingestion. In general, urinary As(III) and As(V) concentrations peak in the urine at approximately 10 hours and return to normal 20 to 30 hours after ingestion. Urinary MMA and DMA concentrations normally peak at approximately 40 to 60 hours and return to baseline 6 to 20 days after ingestion.

 

After a seafood meal (seafood generally contains the nontoxic, organic form of arsenic, eg, arsenobetaine), the urine output of arsenic may increase to over 300 mcg/24 h, after which it will decline.

 

This test can determine if the patient has been exposed to above-average levels of arsenic. It cannot predict whether the arsenic levels in their body will affect their health.

 

Cadmium:

In chronic cadmium exposure, the kidneys are the primary target organ. Urine concentrations of cadmium can be useful to assess long-term exposure and determine cadmium body burden. Collection of urine over 24 hours minimizes fluctuations of observed cadmium concentrations in random urine samples.

 

Cadmium excretion above 3.0 mcg/g creatinine indicates significant exposure to cadmium. For occupational testing, OSHA cadmium standard is less than 3.0 mcg/g creatinine, and the BEI is 5 mcg/g creatinine.

 

Mercury:

Daily urine excretion of mercury above 50 mcg/day indicates significant exposure (per World Health Organization standard).

 

Lead:

Measurements of urinary lead (Pb) levels have been used to assess lead exposure. However, like lead blood, urinary lead excretion mainly reflects recent exposure and, thus, shares many of the same limitations for assessing Pb body burden or long-term exposure.(3,4)

 

Urinary lead concentration increases exponentially with blood lead and can exhibit relatively high intra-individual variability, even at similar blood lead concentrations.(5,6)

Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Consumption of seafood before collection of a urine specimen for arsenic testing is likely to result in a report of an elevated concentration of arsenic found in the urine, which can be clinically misleading.

 

Collection of urine specimens through a catheter frequently results in elevated values because rubber contains trace amounts of cadmium that are extracted as urine passes through the catheter.

 

To avoid contamination by dust, specimen should be collected away from the site of suspected exposure.

Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. Snoj Tratniid J, Falnoga I, Mazej D, et al: Results of the first national human biomonitoring in Slovenia: Trace elements in men and lactating women, predictors of exposure and reference values. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2019 Apr;222(3):563-582

2. Sherman LS, Blum JD, Franzblau A, Basu N: New insights into biomarkers of human mercury exposure using naturally occurring mercury stable isotopes. Environ Sci Technol. 2013 Apr;47(7):3403-3409

3. Sakai T: Biomarkers of lead exposure. Ind Health. 2000 Apr;38(2):127-142

4. Skerfving S: Biological monitoring of exposure to inorganic lead. In: Clarkson TW, Friberg L, Nordberg GF, Sager PR, eds. Biological Monitoring of Toxic Metals. Rochester Series on Environmental Toxicity. Springer; 1988:169-197

5. Gulson BL, Jameson CW, Mahaffey KR, et al: Relationships of lead in breast milk to lead in blood, urine, and diet of the infant and mother. Environ Health Perspect. 1998 Oct;106(10):667-674

6. Skerfving S, Ahlgren L, Christoffersson JO: Metabolism of inorganic lead in man. Nutr Res. 1985;Suppl 1:601-607

7. Fillol CC, Dor F, Labat L, et al: Urinary arsenic concentrations and speciation in residents living in an area with naturally contaminated soils. Sci Total Environ. 2010 Feb 1;408(5):1190-1191

8. Caldwell KL, Jones RL, Verdon CP, Jarrett JM, Caudill SP, Osterloh JD: Levels of urinary total and speciated arsenic in the US population: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2004. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2009 Jan;19(1):59-68

9. Lee R, Middleton D, Caldwell K, et al. A review of events that expose children to elemental mercury in the United States. Environ Health Perspect. 2009 Jun;117(6):871-878

10. Kosnett MJ, Wedeen RP, Rotherberg SJ, et al: Recommendations for medical management of adult lead exposure. Environ Health Perspect. 2007 Mar;115(3):463-471

11. De Burbane C, Buchet JP, Leroyer A, et al: Renal and neurologic effects of cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic in children: evidence of early effects and multiple interactions at environmental exposure levels. Environ Health Perspect. 2006 Apr;114(4):584-590

12. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: Toxicological profile for arsenic. US Department of Health and Human Services. 2007. www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp2.pdf

13. Strathmann FG, Blum LM: Toxic elements. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham CD, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023:chap 44

14. Keil DE, Berger-Ritchie J, McMillin GA: Testing for toxic elements: a focus on arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. Lab Med, 2011 Dec:42(12):735–742. https://academic.oup.com/labmed/article/42/12/735/2504927

15. Navas-Acien A, Francesconi KA, Silbergeld EK, Guallar E: Seafood intake and urine concentrations of total arsenic, dimethylarsinate and arsenobetaine in the US population. Environ Res. 2011 Jan;111(1):110-118. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2010.10.009

16. Bernhoft RA: Mercury toxicity and treatment: a review of the literature. J Environ Public Health. 2012;2012:460508. doi: 10.1155/2012/460508

17. Tchounwou PB, Yedjou CG, Udensi UK, et al: State of the science review of the health effects of inorganic arsenic: Perspectives for future research. Environ Toxicol. 2019 Feb;34(2):188-202. doi: 10.1002/tox.22673

Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

The metal analytes of interest are analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.(Unpublished Mayo method)

PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information

No

Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.

Monday through Friday

Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.

1 to 3 days

Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

14 days

Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester

Fees
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.

  • Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
  • Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.

Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.

CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.

82175

82300

83825

83655

LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.

Test Id Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
HMU24 Heavy Metal Scrn w/Reflex, 24 Hr, U 94575-8
Result Id Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
8678 Cadmium, 24 Hr, U 5612-7
TIME4 Collection Duration 13362-9
VL16 Total Volume 3167-4
92215 Total Arsenic Concentration 21074-0
48539 Arsenic, 24 Hr, U 5587-1
92408 Mercury, 24 Hr, U 6693-6
92409 Lead, 24 Hr, U 5677-0

Test Setup Resources

Setup Files
Test setup information contains test file definition details to support order and result interfacing between Mayo Clinic Laboratories and your Laboratory Information System.

Excel | PHP Pdf | CMS Pdf

Sample Reports
Normal and Abnormal sample reports are provided as references for report appearance.

Normal Reports | Abnormal Reports

SI Sample Reports
International System (SI) of Unit reports are provided for a limited number of tests. These reports are intended for international account use and are only available through MayoLINK accounts that have been defined to receive them.

SI Normal Reports | SI Abnormal Reports