Thallium, Whole Blood

Elevated results may be due to skin or collection-related contamination, including the use of a noncertified metal-free collection/transport tube. If contamination concerns exist due to elevated levels of blood thallium, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified metal-free tube is recommended.

Blood thallium levels reflect recent exposure as thallium has a biological half-life of approximately 2 to 4 days. Blood levels greater than 100 µg/L are considered toxic and greater than 300 µg/L indicate severe ingestion. After severe thallium poisonings, reported symptoms have varying times of onset and include gastroenteritis, multi-organ failure and neurologic injury. Peripheral neuropathy and alopecia are well-documented effects of acute and chronic exposure. Human health effects from low-level thallium exposure are unknown.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes.