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HelpEpic Test Code LAB404 Lead, 24 Hour, Urine
Additional Codes
MML Code: PBU
LIS Code: PBUQ
NY State Approved
YesPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Reporting Name
Lead, 24 Hr, UMethod Name
Triple-Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS)
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Ambient | 28 days | ||
| Frozen | 28 days |
Ordering Guidance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends venous blood collection for lead testing; see PBDV / Lead, Venous, with Demographics, Blood
Necessary Information
24-Hour volume (in milliliters) is required.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation: 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.
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: 3 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.
Specimen Type
UrineSpecimen Minimum Volume
1.5 mL
Reference Values
0-17 years: Not established
≥18 years: <2 mcg/24 h
Report Available
1 to 3 daysDay(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
CPT Code Information
83655
Reject Due To
All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.Useful For
Detecting clinically significant lead exposure in 24-hour specimens
This test is not a substitute for blood lead screening.
Special Instructions
Clinical Information
Increased urine lead 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."
For more information see PBDV/ Lead, Venous, with Demographics, Blood.
Interpretation
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 lead body burden or long-term exposure.(1,2)
Urinary lead concentration increases exponentially with blood lead and can exhibit relatively high intra-individual variability, even at similar blood lead concentrations.(3,4)
Cautions
No significant cautionary statements.