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Test ID CDB Cadmium, Blood

Reporting Name

Cadmium, B

Useful For

Detecting exposure to cadmium, a toxic heavy metal

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 EDTA 3 mL Tube (T989)

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

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Royal blue-top BD vacutainer with EDTA blood collection tube (3 mL) (BD catalog no. 367777) (T989)

Acceptable: Royal blue-top BD Vacutainer Plus with EDTA blood collection tube (6 mL) (BD catalog no. 368381) (T183)

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions:

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

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


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.25 mL

Specimen Stability Information

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

Reference Values

<5.0 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

82300

Clinical Information

The toxicity of cadmium resembles the other heavy metals (arsenic, mercury, and lead) in that it attacks the kidney; kidney dysfunction with proteinuria with slow onset (over a period of years) is the typical presentation.

 

Breathing the fumes of cadmium vapors leads to nasal epithelial deterioration and pulmonary congestion resembling chronic emphysema.

 

The most common source of chronic exposure comes from spray painting organic-based paints without a protective breathing apparatus; auto repair mechanics represent a susceptible group for cadmium toxicity. In addition, another common source of cadmium exposure is tobacco smoke.

Interpretation

Normal blood cadmium is less than 5.0 ng/mL, with most results in the range of 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL.

 

Acute toxicity will be observed when the blood level exceeds 50 ng/mL.

Cautions

No significant cautionary statements

Clinical Reference

1. Moreau T, Orssaud G, Lellouch J, Claude JR, Juguet B, Festy B. Blood cadmium levels in a general population with special reference to smoking. Arch Environ Health. 1983;38(3):163-167

2. Strathmann FG, Blum LM. Toxic elements. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham CD, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023:chap 44

Method Description

The metal of interest is analyzed by triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.(Unpublished Mayo method)

Report Available

1 to 3 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK

NY State Approved

Yes

Method Name

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

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send General Request (T239) with the specimen.