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Thallium, Blood

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB6158, Beaker: XTHS, Mayo: TLB

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere with most metals tests. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Royal Blue-top EDTA tube.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Do not centrifuge. Maintain whole blood at refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 6.0 mL whole blood, at refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Centrifuged tubes.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Do not centrifuge. Maintain whole blood refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) prior to transport.

Transport: 6.0 mL whole blood, at refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 28 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 28 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 28 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester, MN.

Performed

Tuesday, Friday.
Results available within 2-5 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma / Mass Spectrometry.

Interpretation

Elevated results from non-certified trace element-free collection tubes may be due to contamination.

Clinical Utility

Thallium is similar to lead and mercury in terms of its toxic properties. Chronic thallium exposure results in alopecia, peripheral neuropathy, seizures, and renal failure. Acute thallium poisoning is characterized by nausea, vomiting, hematemesis, abdominal pain, diarrhea, confusion, coma, and rarely death. Thallium is a byproduct of lead and zinc smelting and is also used in the manufacture of thermometers, rat poisons, insecticides, semiconductors, luminescent tubes, and dyes.

CPT Codes

83018

Contacts

Last Updated

10/10/2023