Test Category: Specialist Biochemistry
Investigation Name:Aluminium – Water
Alias or Abbreviation:Al, water aluminium, dialysate fluid aluminium
Accreditation:UKAS ISO15189:2022 Accredited test: On scope
Intro:
In patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) undergoing renal dialysis, accumulation of aluminium during dialysis therapy due to contamination of the dialysate fluid may constitute a serious toxicological problem. Clinical manifestations of a high body aluminium burden include encephalopathy and a vitamin D resistant osteomalacia and patients on renal dialysis undergo regular plasma aluminium monitoring.Furthermore, regular monitoring of both the aluminium concentration of the mains water (called P1) and the water generated by reverse osmosis (called P2) is performed by renal dialysis units and by patients undergoing home dialysis.
Pathology Laboratory:Trace Elements Laboratory
Requestable Seperately?Yes
Units:µmol/L
Minimum Sample Volume:1 mL of water
Expected Turnaround Time:7 working days
Test Code:P1 Sample: ALW1;
P2 Sample ALW2
Sample Type:
Nunc polycarbonate centrifuge tubes provided by our laboratory. See collection conditions.Complex Reference Range:There are no reference ranges reported with water aluminium results.
However, aluminium concentrations in water generated by reverse osmosis (P2) must be less than 0.37 µmol/L and are usually less than 0.04 µmol/L.
Collection Conditions / Other Information:Water aluminium kits containing the required tubes are sent out to the requesting source by our laboratory.
Two separate samples of each water/dialysate fluid type must be returned and care must be taken not to contaminate the samples/tubes during the collection procedure.
Please contact the laboratory for further details.
Referred to Another Laboratory?No
Storage Requirements:Store at room temperature or 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: Aluminium in water
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
