Sign in →

Test Code TLU Thallium, 24 Hour, Urine

Reporting Name

Thallium, 24 Hr, U

Useful For

Detecting toxic thallium exposure in 24-hour urine collections

Method Name

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Urine


Necessary Information


24-Hour volume (in milliliters) is required.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere with most metal tests. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.

Supplies: Urine Tubes, 10 mL (T068)

Collection Container/Tube: Clean, plastic urine container with no metal cap or glued insert

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube or a clean, plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert

Specimen Volume: 10 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect urine for 24 hours.

2. Refrigerate specimen within 4 hours of completion of 24-hour collection.

3. Aliquot 10 mL into a plastic 10-mL urine tube (T068) or a clean, plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert.

4. See Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport for complete instructions.

Additional Information: See Urine Preservatives-Collection and Transportation for 24-Hour Urine Specimens for multiple collections.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
  Ambient  28 days
  Frozen  28 days

Reject Due To

  All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Reference Values

0-17 years: Not established

≥18 years: <2 mcg/24 hours

Day(s) Performed

Tuesday, Friday

CPT Code Information

83018

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
TLU Thallium, 24 Hr, U 5746-3

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
8603 Thallium, 24 Hr, U 5746-3
TIME2 Collection Duration 13362-9
VL12 Urine Volume 3167-4

Clinical Information

Thallium is odorless, tasteless, and found in trace amounts in the earth's crust. It is used in the manufacturing of electronic devices, switches, and closures. It had previously been used in rodenticides. The greatest exposure can occur from eating food (eg, fruits and vegetables) since its easily taken up by plants through the roots. Cigarette smoking is also a source of exposure. Accidental ingestion may lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and leg pains, followed by a severe and sometimes fatal sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy may occur within 1 week of exposure, while hair loss begins and continues for several weeks. Gastrointestinal symptoms, including pain, diarrhea, and constipation have also been reported in acute ingestion, along with myalgias, pleuritic chest pain, insomnia, optic neuritis, hypertension, cardiac abnormalities, Mees lines, and liver injury. Most thallium is excreted in the urine, can be found within an hour after exposure, and can be detected as long as two months after exposure.

Interpretation

Patients exposed to high doses of thallium (>1 g) present clinically with alopecia, peripheral neuropathy, seizures, and kidney failure.

 

Exposed patients can have urine output greater than 10 mcg/day. The long-term consequences of such an exposure are poor.

Cautions

No significant cautionary statements

Method Description

The metal of interest is analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.(Unpublished Mayo method)

Report Available

2 to 5 days

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.