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Test Category: Specialist Biochemistry

Investigation Name:Arsenic- Blood

Alias or Abbreviation:As

Accreditation:UKAS ISO15189:2022 accredited test: On scope

Intro:

Arsenic is a non-essential element with the potential to produce severe toxicity. Exposure may occur from occupational sources, the environment, and also “traditional” remedies. Acute ingestion of soluble inorganic salts can induce severe vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea and in extreme circumstances, cardiac arrhythmias and arrest. Chronic exposure may precipitate less severe, but re-current, gastro-intestinal symptoms and eventually peripheral neuropathy and renal damage. Concern regarding the exposure of industrial workers has increased following the realisation that the element may be carcinogenic. An antidote to arsenic poisoning is available: British Anti Lewisite (BAL) or Dimercaprol. Blood arsenic has a very short half-life (hours) and is therefore of little clinical utility, with the exception of assessing very recent, acute exposure. Urine arsenic is the investigation of choice for assessing arsenic exposure. Organic arsenic compounds are found in fish and shellfish; these are non-toxic and excreted unchanged. However, to aid interpretation of the results, it is advised to exclude dietary sources of arsenic five days prior to collecting samples for blood and/or urine arsenic, wherever possible.

Pathology Laboratory:Trace Elements Laboratory

Requestable Seperately?Yes

Units:nmol/L

Minimum Sample Volume:500 µL whole blood

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

Test Code:AS

Sample Type:

Preferred: EDTA whole blood
Accepted: Trace element free sodium heparin whole blood
Note: Plasma/serum is NOT suitable

Complex Reference Range:<31 nmol/L

Referred to Another Laboratory?No

Storage Requirements:Store at 4 °C prior to dispatch

Posting Address / Requirements:1st class post at ambient temperature.
Sandwell Health Campus,
Specialist Chemistry,
Pathology Department,
Lyndon, B71 4HJ

NPEX / PDF Reporting Available:Yes

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:Email: bcpspathology.info@nhs.net for further details

Contact Number:0121 507 5162