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Test Code HG Mercury, Blood

Important Note

This test is only orderable by the laboratory.  To request this test in EPIC, please order LAB001 MAYO MISCELLANEOUS TEST.  Fill out appropriate prompts and request the Mayo test code listed above.

If you need further assistance, please contact the laboratory at 406-414-5010.

Useful For

Detecting mercury toxicity

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Whole blood


Specimen Required


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

Supplies: Metal Free B-D Tube (EDTA), 6 mL (T183)

Container/Tube: Royal blue top (EDTA) plastic trace element blood collection tube

Specimen Volume: Full tube

Collection Instructions:

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

2. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.3 mL

Specimen Stability Information

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

Reference Values

<10 ng/mL

Reference values apply to all ages.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

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.

CPT Code Information

83825

Report Available

1 to 2 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

Method Name

Triple Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS)