Antimony, Blood

Elevated results may be due to skin or collection-related contamination, including the use of a noncertified antimony-free collection tubes (including plastic BD Vacutainer Trace Element Tubes) or transport tube. If contamination concerns exist due to elevated levels of blood antimony, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified antimony-free tube is recommended.

Blood antimony levels predominantly reflect recent exposure and are most useful in the diagnosis of acute poisoning. Blood concentrations in unexposed individuals rarely exceed 3 µg/L. The form of antimony greatly influences distribution and elimination. Trivalent antimony readily enters red blood cells, has an extended half-life on the order of weeks to months, and is eliminated predominantly through the bile. Pentavalent antimony resides in the plasma, has a relatively short half-life on the order of hours to days, and is eliminated predominantly through the kidneys. Reported symptoms after toxic antimony exposure vary based upon route of exposure, duration and antimony source and may include abdominal pain, dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, dermatitis and eye irritation. Clinical presentation is similar to that of inorganic arsenic exposure.