Cadmium, urine
Clinical Background:
Cadmium is a heavy metal with chemical symbol Cd. It is a byproduct of zinc production, has applications in pigments, coatings, stabilizers and alloys and is used in the manufacture of certain batt...
Cadmium is a heavy metal with chemical symbol Cd. It is a byproduct of zinc production, has applications in pigments, coatings, stabilizers and alloys and is used in the manufacture of certain batteries and solar panels. It has high toxicity and is listed in the European Restriction of Hazardous Substances. Currently Cadmium has no known biological funciton in higher organisms. Tobacco smoking is the most important single source of cadmium exposure in the general population. The absorption of cadmium from the lungs is much more effective than from the gut. On average smokers have 4-5 times higher blood cadmium concentrations and 2-3 times higher kidney cadmium concentrations than non-smokers. In non-smokers food is the main source of exposure occurring in crustaceans, mollusks, grains, vegetables and starchy roots and tubers.The most common source of chronic exposure comes from spray painting of organic-based paints without use of a protective breathing aparatus, another common source of exposure is tobacco smoke. Toxicity attacks the kidneys with the typical presentation being renal dysfunction with proteinuria of slow onset. Breathing the fumes of cadmium vapours leads to nasal epithelial deterioration and pulmonary congestion resembling chronic emphysema. Individuals most susceptible to toxicity are those with low iron and other mineral body stores.
Test Details
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Discipline:
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
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Specimen Container Adult:
Urine-Random or 24hr collection
Urine-Random or 24hr collection
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Specimen Container Paediatric:
Urine-Random
Urine-Random
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Minimum Volume Adult:
20 mL urine
20 mL urine
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Minimum Volume Paediatric:
20 mL urine
20 mL urine
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Special Requirement:
Blood is the sample of choice.
Blood is the sample of choice.
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Transport Requirements:
Post at ambient temperature
Post at ambient temperature
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Interpretation:
The concentration of cadmium in kidneys and the urine is elevated in some patients exposed to cadmium. Blood is the preferred specimen for investigation of toxicity
The concentration of cadmium in kidneys and the urine is elevated in some patients exposed to cadmium. Blood is the preferred specimen for investigation of toxicity
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Reference Ranges:
24 hr urine collection: <10 nmol/24hr
Random sample: <1.0 nmol/mmol creatinine
24 hr urine collection: <10 nmol/24hr
Random sample: <1.0 nmol/mmol creatinine
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Factors Affecting Result:
High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere. If gadolinium- or iodine- containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.
High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere. If gadolinium- or iodine- containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.
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Routine Contact Name:
Duty biochemist
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Routine Telephone:
Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719
Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719
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Routine Email:
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Specialist Test:
Yes
Yes