Test Category: Specialist Biochemistry
Investigation Name:Lead – Urine
Alias or Abbreviation:Urine Pb, 24 hour urine lead excretion, urine lead to creatinine ratio
Accreditation:UKAS Accredited ISO15189:2022 : on scope
Intro:
Lead (Pb) is a non-essential element that is toxic to all organ systems. There is no safe level of lead exposure and young or unborn children are particularly susceptible to neurological damage, which may be irreversible.Exposure in children is largely pica related. In adults, sources of lead exposure outside of occupational settings include lead-containing paint, traditional remedies, lead-glazed earthenware and lead-containing pipework.
Typical signs/symptoms of lead toxicity are constipation, abdominal pain, headache, poor concentration and anaemia. Less commonly, patients may present with peripheral or motor neuropathy and/or confusion/encephalopathy.
Lead workers must be monitored under statutory regulation ((U.K. Lead at Work Regulations).
Exposure to inorganic lead is monitored by analysis of whole blood since 95% of blood lead is bound to erythrocytes and urine lead is of no utility in this scenario.
Conversely, organic lead is better investigated by urine analysis since it is absorbed into lipophilic tissue with only a marginal rise in blood lead concentration. Also, 24 hr urine lead excretion is monitored in patients receiving chelation therapy for lead poisoning.
Pathology Laboratory:Trace Elements Laboratory
Requestable Seperately?Yes
Units:nmol/mmol creatinine (spot urine)
nmol/24 hr (24 hour urine collection)
Minimum Sample Volume:2 mL urine
Expected Turnaround Time:7 working days.
Urgent analysis where clinically indicated may be arranged directly with the laboratory.
Test Code:24PB (24 hour urine collection),
UPB (random urine)
Sample Type:
For monitoring 24hr lead excretion:24h urine collection in polypropylene collection container or polyethylene container.
Specimens can be aliquoted into a plain white -top universal container prior to transportation.
24-hour collection period dates, time and total volume MUST be recorded.
Investigation of toxicity & occupational monitoring:
Random (spot) urine collected into a plain white -top universal container.
Complex Reference Range:24 hour urine lead:
Less than 39 nmol/24hr
Random (spot) urine lead to creatinine ratio:
Less than 6.0 nmol/mmol creatinine.
Referred to Another Laboratory?No
Storage Requirements:Store at 4 °C prior to dispatch
Posting Address / Requirements:Ambient temperature, 1st class post.
Sandwell Health Campus,
Pathology department,
Specialist chemistry,
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:Please email: bcpspathology.info@nhs.net for further details
Contact Number:Tel: 0121 507 5162
