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Test Category: Specialist Biochemistry

Investigation Name:Aluminium – Plasma

Alias or Abbreviation:Al

Accreditation:UKAS ISO15189:2022 accredited test: On scope

Intro:

In individuals with chronic renal failure (CRF), aluminium accumulation from phosphate binding medication and during dialysis therapy constitutes a serious toxicological problem. Periodic monitoring of plasma (or serum) aluminium provides a useful index of recent accumulation in these patients, and, in certain circumstances, of body burden.
The exercise may also be applied to children whose renal function is insufficient or under- developed and who may be exposed to aluminium during nutritional therapy.

Pathology Laboratory:Trace Elements Laboratory

Requestable Seperately?Yes

Units:µmol/L

Minimum Sample Volume:100 µL serum or plasma

Expected Turnaround Time:7 working days. Urgent analysis where clinically indicated may be arranged directly with the laboratory.

Test Code:AL

Sample Type:

Preferred: unseparated whole blood lithium heparin
Accepted: serum or lithium heparin/sodium heparin plasma
Note: gel tubes must NOT be used. Blood tubes must be free of aluminium contamination

Complex Reference Range:Normal values (no history of CRF): <0.37 µmol/L.
Desirable values for CRF patients: <2.22 µmol/L.
Excessive accumulation: ≥2.22 µmol/L.
Cause for concern: high risk of toxicity in children: >3.70 µmol/L.
Urgent action required: high risk of toxicity in all: >7.41 µmol/L.

Collection Conditions / Other Information:Samples should be sent to the lab unseparated to avoid the risk of contamination during the separation process. Separation of the plasma will be caried out in the Trace Elements Laboratory.
Note trace element free blood tubes are usually not certified to be free of aluminium. Please contact the laboratory if you wish to discuss tube contamination checking.

Referred to Another Laboratory?No

Storage Requirements:Store at 4 °C prior to dispatch

Posting Address / Requirements:1st Class Ambient Condition.
Sandwell Health Campus,
Specialist Chemistry,
Pathology Department,
Lyndon,
B71 4HJ

EQA Scheme: UK NEQAS for Trace Elements

Further information:We are a designated Supra-Regional Assay Service (SAS) Laboratory for Trace Elements.

Lead Contact Details:Dr Nicola Barlow, Consultant Clinical Scientist, SAS Director Trace Elements Laboratory
Email: nicola.barlow1@nhs.net

Email Address For Chasing Results:rwh-tr.bcpsspecialistchemistryenquiries@nhs.net

Methodology:Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Site Sample Tested:Sandwell Health Campus

Cost:Please email: bcpspathology.info@nhs.net for further details

Contact Number:Tel: 0121 507 5162