Ordering Recommendation

Preferred test for the assessment of acute or chronic arsenic exposure. This test is able to differentiate between toxic inorganic and methylated species as well as benign organic forms. Results are reported as total inorganic, total methylated, and organic arsenic.

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. Patients should be encouraged to discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, nonessential over-the-counter medications (upon the advice of their physician), and avoid shellfish and seafood for 48 to 72 hours. High concentrations of iodine may interfere with elemental testing. Collection of urine specimens from patients receiving iodinated or gadolinium-based contrast media should be avoided for a minimum of 72 hours post exposure. Collection from patients with impaired kidney function should be avoided for a minimum of 14 days post contrast media exposure.

Collect

Random urine.

Specimen Preparation

Transfer an 8 mL aliquot from a well-mixed collection to ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tubes (ARUP supply #43116), available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect(TM) or contact ARUP Client Services at 800-522-2787. (Min: 2 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated. Also acceptable: Room temperature or frozen.

Unacceptable Conditions

Acid-preserved urine. Specimens collected within 72 hours after administration of iodinated or gadolinium-based contrast media.

Remarks
Stability

Ambient: 1 week; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 2 months

Methodology

Quantitative High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) / Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-5 days

Reference Interval

Test Number
Components
Reference Interval
  Arsenic Urine - per volume Less than or equal to 34.9 microg/L
  Arsenic, Urine - ratio to CRT Less than or equal to 29.9 microg/g CRT

Interpretive Data

  The ACGIH Biological Exposure Index (BEI) for arsenic in urine is 35 ug/L measured at the end of the work week. The ACGIH BEI is based on the sum of inorganic and methylated species. For specimens with elevated total arsenic results, fractionation is automatically performed to determine the proportions of inorganic, methylated, and organic species.
Elevated results may be due to skin or collection-related contamination, including the use of collection containers 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 container is recommended.
Methodology: Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Compliance Category

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

Note

  If total arsenic concentration is found to be elevated based on reference intervals, then Arsenic, Fractionated, will be added to determine the proportion of organic, inorganic, and methylated forms. Additional charges apply.

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

82175; if reflexed, add 82175

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0020207 Creatinine, Urine - per volume 35674-1
0025001 Arsenic Urine - per volume 30924-5
0025058 Arsenic, Urine - ratio to CRT 13463-5
* 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

  • Arsenic/Creatinine Ratio, Random, Urine
  • As
  • ASU
  • Normalized Urine Arsenic
  • Normalized Urine As
Arsenic, Random Urine with Reflex to Fractionated