Test Details

• Discipline:

  Biochemistry

  Biochemistry

• Specimen Container Adult:

  Serum trace element tube

  Navy blue top with red-striped label

  Available on request from Blood Sciences reception at both Freeman and RVI sites

  Serum trace element tube

  Navy blue top with red-striped label

  Available on request from Blood Sciences reception at both Freeman and RVI sites

• Specimen Container Paediatric:

  Serum trace element tube; Navy blue top with red-striped label - preferred sample

  White top plain tube (glass)

  Serum trace element tube; Navy blue top with red-striped label - preferred sample

  White top plain tube (glass)

• Minimum Volume Adult:

  1 mL blood

  1 mL blood

• Minimum Volume Paediatric:

  1 mL blood

  1 mL blood

• Special Requirement:

  Grossly haemolysed samples are unsuitable for analysis.

  Transport to laboratory immediately for rapid separation of serum from red blood cells. 

  Grossly haemolysed samples are unsuitable for analysis.

  Transport to laboratory immediately for rapid separation of serum from red blood cells. 

• Sample Stability:

  After separation from red cells, serum is stable for one month when stored at 4°C.

  Samples may be stored indefinitely at -20°C.

  After separation from red cells, serum is stable for one month when stored at 4°C.

  Samples may be stored indefinitely at -20°C.

• Transport Requirements:

  Ambient temperature.

  Ambient temperature.

• Freq Analysis:

  Assay performed weekly.

  Assay performed weekly.

• Quality Assurance:

  Trace Element Quality Assurance Scheme (TEQAS) for Trace Elements

  Trace Element Quality Assurance Scheme (TEQAS) for Trace Elements

• Interpretation:

  Low serum zinc:
  Inadequate dietary intake/parenteral nutrition
  High levels of copper or iron in the diet (interfere with zinc absorption)
  Loss via open wounds/burns, gastrointestinal tract
  Crohn's ...

  Low serum zinc:
  Inadequate dietary intake/parenteral nutrition
  High levels of copper or iron in the diet (interfere with zinc absorption)
  Loss via open wounds/burns, gastrointestinal tract
  Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, regional enteritis, sprue, intestinal bypass, malignancy, and increased catabolism by anabolic steroids
  Anorexia and starvation
  
  High serum zinc:
  Megadoses of supplements
  Not usually of clinical concern

  Read More

• Reference Ranges:

  Age	Zinc (µmol/L)
  <6 months	5.0 – 21.5
  6 months to18 years	9.8 – 19.0
  19 years to 64 years (female)	9.6 – 20.5
  19 years to 64 years (male)	10.1 – 20.2
  ...

  Age	Zinc (µmol/L)
  <6 months	5.0 – 21.5
  6 months to18 years	9.8 – 19.0
  19 years to 64 years (female)	9.6 – 20.5
  19 years to 64 years (male)	10.1 – 20.2
  >64 years (female)	9.2 – 19.2
  >64 years (male)	8.0 – 20.0

  Read More

• Factors Affecting Result:

  Haemolysis ++
  Heparin may contain zinc.
  EDTA leaches zinc from rbc into plasma.
  Rubber stoppers/caps release significant amounts of zinc.
  Gel separation systems release zinc.

  Haemolysis ++
  Heparin may contain zinc.
  EDTA leaches zinc from rbc into plasma.
  Rubber stoppers/caps release significant amounts of zinc.
  Gel separation systems release zinc.

• Other Info:

  Assay performed by ICP-MS in collision mode.

  Assay performed by ICP-MS in collision mode.

• Routine Contact Name:

  Duty Biochemist

• Routine Telephone:

  Freeman: 0191 244 8889
  RVI: 0191 282 9719

  Freeman: 0191 244 8889
  RVI: 0191 282 9719

• Routine Email:

  nuth.dutybiochemist@nhs.net

• Specialist Test:

  Yes

  Yes