Test Category: Specialist Biochemistry
Investigation Name:Zinc – Plasma/serum
Alias or Abbreviation:Zn, serum trace elements
Accreditation:UKAS ISO15189:2022 Accredited test: On scope
Intro:
Indications for measuring plasma/serum zinc include malabsorption or malnutrition, where zinc deficiency is suspected, monitoring of patients on total parenteral nutrition, or suspected toxicity (which may lead to copper deficiency).Plasma/serum zinc is a relatively crude index of zinc status. It exhibits diurnal variation in ‘healthy’ individuals and is affected by number of factors including acute phase response (negative reactant), certain drugs and pregnancy. Concomitant measurement of C-reactive protein may be useful as an aid to interpreting low zinc concentration.
Pathology Laboratory:Trace Elements Laboratory
Requestable Seperately?No
Minimum Sample Volume:100 µL serum/plasma
Expected Turnaround Time:7 working days. Urgent analysis where clinically indicated may be arranged directly with the laboratory.
Sample Type:
Preferred: Trace element free heparin plasma or serum.Accepted: For Paediatrics Only - Standard lithium heparin plasma, serum (without a gel separation system) if contamination testing has confirmed that the tube lot being used is zinc-free.
Note: - DO NOT use tubes with a Gel Separator and/or Black O-Ring.
- EDTA tubes (Including trace element free EDTA) are unsuitable.
Complex Reference Range:Deficiency may be indicated: <7.0 umol/L
May have no clinical significance: 6.1-10.9 umol/L
Reference range for all ages: 11-24 umol/L
Dietary supplement use (or contamination): >24 umol/L
Collection Conditions / Other Information:Separate serum/plasma from cells within 6 hours of collection. Haemolysed samples are unsuitable for analysis.
Note:
- Zinc is widely present in the environment, particularly in plastics, so contamination can occur at any stage from collection to analysis. If zinc deficiency is clinically suspected but not confirmed by testing, repeat testing should be considered.
- Secondary tubes must be zinc free. Please contact laboratory re: contamination testing.
- When transferring serum/plasma to secondary tubes, avoid use of automated aliquoters and avoid touching tube rims or pipette tips with nitrile gloves or bare hands.
- DO NOT use tubes with a Gel Separator and/ or Black O-Ring .
Referred to Another Laboratory?No
Storage Requirements:Separate samples within 6 hours of collection, once separated, serum/plasma stable for 14 days refrigerated.
Store separated plasma/serum at 4 °C prior to dispatch.
Posting Address / Requirements:Ambient temperature, First class post
Sandwell Health Campus
Specialist Chemistry Department
Lyndon
B71 4HJ
NPEX / PDF Reporting Available:NPEX & PDF reporting available
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, Consultat 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:01215075162
