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22334 Arsenic, Blood (ASB)

Arsenic, Blood (ASB)
Test Code: ARSSO
Synonyms/Keywords
​Ref Lab Code: 8645, As (Arsenic), Arsenic (As)
Useful For
​Detection of acute or very recent arsenic exposure
 
Monitoring the effectiveness of therapy
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​Whole blood  Royal Blue Top Tube (RBTT)(EDTA) Vacutainer plastic trace element blood collection tube​ Full tube ​ 0.3 mL​
Collection Processing Instructions
​1. Send specimen in original collection tube.
2. See Metals Analysis-Collection and Transport in Special Instructions for complete instructions.
Trace Metals Analysis - Specimen Collection and Transport
Additional Information: High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere with most metals tests. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole blood​ Refrigerated (preferred)​ 21 days​
Ambient ​ 21 days​
Frozen ​ 21 days​
Rejection Criteria
Gross icterus
Green top (heparin) tube​
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Medical Laboratories
Monday through Saturday​
1 day
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)​
Reference Lab
Test Information
​Arsenic combines readily with proteins because of its great affinity for sulfhydryl groups. The affinity of arsenics for tissue proteins is responsible for the rapid removal of arsenic from blood. Arsenic becomes "normal" within 6-10 hours after exposure, so blood arsenic is not a good specimen for screening purposes. Periodic blood levels can be determined to follow the effectiveness of therapy. Blood arsenic is useful for detection of acute arsenic exposure and for following the effectiveness of therapy.
Reference Range Information
​0-12 ng/mL 
Interpretation
​Abnormal blood arsenic concentrations (>12 ng/mL) indicate significant exposure.
 
Absorbed arsenic is rapidly distributed into tissue storage sites with a blood half-life of <6 hours. Unless a blood specimen is drawn within 2 days of exposure, arsenic is not likely to be detected in a blood specimen.
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
​82175
Synonyms/Keywords
​Ref Lab Code: 8645, As (Arsenic), Arsenic (As)
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity ​Arsenic, Blood (Mayo)
​Cerner ​Arsenic Level, Blood (8645)
​COM ​Arsenic, Blood
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​Whole blood  Royal Blue Top Tube (RBTT)(EDTA) Vacutainer plastic trace element blood collection tube​ Full tube ​ 0.3 mL​
Collection Processing
​1. Send specimen in original collection tube.
2. See Metals Analysis-Collection and Transport in Special Instructions for complete instructions.
Trace Metals Analysis - Specimen Collection and Transport
Additional Information: High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere with most metals tests. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole blood​ Refrigerated (preferred)​ 21 days​
Ambient ​ 21 days​
Frozen ​ 21 days​
Rejection Criteria
Gross icterus
Green top (heparin) tube​
Useful For
​Detection of acute or very recent arsenic exposure
 
Monitoring the effectiveness of therapy
Reference Range Information
​0-12 ng/mL 
Interpretation
​Abnormal blood arsenic concentrations (>12 ng/mL) indicate significant exposure.
 
Absorbed arsenic is rapidly distributed into tissue storage sites with a blood half-life of <6 hours. Unless a blood specimen is drawn within 2 days of exposure, arsenic is not likely to be detected in a blood specimen.
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Medical Laboratories
Monday through Saturday​
1 day
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)​
Reference Lab
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
​82175
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.