Test Category: Specialist Biochemistry
Investigation Name:Nickel (Blood/Serum/Plasma)
Alias or Abbreviation:Ni
Accreditation:UKAS Accredited ISO15189:2022 : on scope
Intro:
Nickel is thought to be an essential element and plasma concentrations are narrowly maintained. Nickel salts can exist in several different oxidation states, Ni2+ being the species of environmental importance due to its wide use in industry ranging from the manufacture of coins, ceramics, paint pigments.Nickel Tetracarbonyl, a gas generated in the refining process of nickel alloy components is more toxic than inorganic nickel.
Symptoms of acute toxicity may include headache, nausea, vomiting, mental confusion, and convulsions. Occupational exposure to nickel and its compounds, can cause severe cases of allergic dermatitis. Wearing of nickel-plated jewellery can also lead to dermatitis.
Measurement of nickel in cases of contact sensitisation to the element is not helpful. Blood/plasma levels correlate well with airborne levels in the case of acute exposure or contact. However, on-going occupational exposure to nickel is most usefully monitored by urine analysis.
Pathology Laboratory:Trace Elements Laboratory
Requestable Seperately?Yes
Units:nmol/L
Minimum Sample Volume:500 µL whole blood,
200 µL serum/plasma
Expected Turnaround Time:14 working days.
Urgent analysis where clinically indicated may be arranged directly with the laboratory.
Test Code:NI (for blood)
NIS (for serum or plasma)
Sample Type:
Preferred: Trace element free EDTA or sodium heparin whole blood.Accepted: EDTA whole blood, EDTA or heparin plasma, serum (no gel tubes)
For non-trace-element tubes, contamination testing must be performed to confirm that the particular blood tube lot is nickel free.
Note: Metal needles may cause significant nickel contamination, hence, blood should be collected using a plastic lined needle.
If collecting specimen using a metal needle, then the first 10 mL of blood should be discarded (or utilised for other tests required at the same time) only then should the tube for Nickel analysis be filled.
Complex Reference Range:Serum/Plasma Nickel:
<20.0 nmol/L
Blood Nickel:
<40 nmol/L
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 Laboratory,
Specialist Chemistry,
Lyndon,
B71 4HJ
NPEX / PDF Reporting Available:Yes
EQA Scheme:QUEBEC Multielement External Quality Assessment Scheme (QMEQAS)
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
