0099305
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Mercury, Whole Blood

HG B
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High
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Specimen Collection and Handling

Ordering Recommendation

Preferred test for the assessment of acute mercury exposure. For chronic exposure, Mercury, Urine (0025050) is preferred.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

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 royal blue (NaHep).

Specimen Preparation

Transport 3 or 6 mL whole blood in the original collection tube. (Min: 0.5 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Room temperature. Also acceptable: Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Specimens collected in tubes other than royal blue (K2EDTA) or royal blue (NaHep). Specimens transported in containers other than royal blue (K2EDTA) or royal blue (NaHep) tube or trace element-free transport tube. Clotted specimens.

Remarks
Stability

Ambient: 1 week; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: Unacceptable

Methodology

Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-3 days

Reference Interval

Less than or equal to 10.0 µg/L

Interpretive Data

Blood mercury levels predominantly reflect recent exposure and are most useful in the diagnosis of acute poisoning as blood mercury concentrations rise sharply and fall quickly over several days after ingestion. Blood concentrations in unexposed individuals rarely exceed 20 ug/L. The provided reference interval relates to inorganic mercury concentrations. Dietary and nonoccupational exposure to organic mercury forms may contribute to an elevated total mercury result. Clinical presentation after toxic exposure to organic mercury may include dysarthria, ataxia, and constricted vision fields with mercury blood concentrations from 20 to 50 ug/L.

Elevated results may be due to skin- or collection-related contamination, including the use of tubes that are not certified to be trace element free. If an elevated result is suspected to be due to contamination, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified trace element-free tube is recommended.

Methodology: Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Compliance Category

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

Note

Mercury is volatile; concentration may decrease over time.

Hotline History

View Hotline History

 

Hotline History

Date of Change
Test Name Change
Methodology
Performance/Reported Schedule
Specimen Requirements
Reference Interval
Interpretive Data
Note
CPT Code
Component Change
Other Interface Change
New Test
Inactive
07/21/2025
X
X
N/A

CPT Codes

83825

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Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0099305 Mercury, Whole Blood 5685-3
* 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

  • Hg
  • HGB
  • Hg WB
Mercury, Whole Blood