Arsenic, Blood
0099045
Ordering Recommendation
 
Mnemonic
ARS B
Methodology
Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
Performed
Mon-Sat
Reported
1-3 days  
New York DOH Approval Status
This test is New York DOH approved.
Submit With Order
 
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation
Diet, medication, and nutritional supplements may introduce interfering substances. Patient should be encouraged to discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, and non-essential over-the-counter medications (upon the advice of their physician) and avoid shellfish and seafood for 48 to 72 hours.  
Collect
Royal blue (K2EDTA or Na2EDTA).  
Specimen Preparation
Transport 7 mL whole blood in the original collection tube. (Min: 0.5 mL)  
Storage/Transport Temperature
Room temperature. Also acceptable: Refrigerated.  
Unacceptable Conditions
Heparin anticoagulant. Frozen specimens.  
Remarks
  
Stability
If the specimen is drawn and stored in the appropriate container, the trace element values do not change with time.  
Reference Interval
0.0-13.0 µg/L  
Interpretive Data
Potentially toxic ranges for blood arsenic: greater than or equal to 600 µg/L.

Blood arsenic is for the detection of recent exposure poisoning only. Blood arsenic levels in healthy subjects vary considerably with exposure to arsenic in the diet and the environment. A 24-hour urine arsenic is useful for the detection of chronic exposure.  
Note
Elevated results from noncertified trace element-free collection tubes may be due to contamination.  Elevated concentrations of trace elements in blood should be confirmed with a second specimen collected in a tube designed for trace element determinations, such as a royal blue (Na2EDTA) tube.
CPT Code(s)
82175
Components
Component Test Code*Component Chart Name
0099045Arsenic Blood
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.
Aliases
  • As (Arsenic, Blood)
  • ASB (Arsenic, Blood)