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HelpTest ID GDU Gadolinium, 24 Hour, Urine
Reporting Name
Gadolinium, 24 Hr, UUseful For
Assessing chronic exposure and monitoring effectiveness of dialysis in a 24-hour urine collection
Specimen Type
UrineOrdering Guidance
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)
Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube or clean, plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert
Specimen Volume: 0.3 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect urine for 24 hours.
2. Refrigerate specimen within 4 hours of completion of 24-hour collection.
3. 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
0.2 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Ambient | 28 days | ||
| Frozen | 28 days |
Reference Values
0-17 years: Not established
≥18 years: <1.1 mcg/24 hours
Day(s) Performed
Thursday
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
83018
Clinical Information
Gadolinium is a member of the lanthanide series of the periodic table of elements and is considered a nonessential element. Due to its paramagnetic properties, chelated gadolinium is commonly employed as contrast media (gadolinium-based contrast agents: GBCA) for magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography scanning.
Gadolinium is primarily eliminated via the kidneys, so exposure can be prolonged in patients with kidney insufficiency. Patients with reduced kidney function and some patients with normal kidney function may exhibit a prolonged gadolinium elimination half-life.
To date the only known adverse health effect related to gadolinium retention is a rare condition called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). NSF is a relatively uncommon condition in which fibrous plaques develop in the dermis and often in deeper connective tissues. Reported cases have occurred almost exclusively in patients with severe kidney disease, and almost all have been associated with prior use of GBCA. NSF is a painful skin disease characterized by thickening of the skin, which can involve the joints and cause significant limitation of motion within weeks to months. Over the past decade, changes in clinical practice guidelines have almost completely eliminated the incidence of NSF. However, the association of NSF and observed elevated gadolinium concentrations is still not fully understood.
Interpretation
Elevated urine gadolinium results from a specimen collected more than 96 hours after administration of a gadolinium-based contrast agent confirms past exposure or continued exposure through anthropogenic sources and prolonged elimination of gadolinium. Gadolinium also has been shown to be present in some municipal water sources, which may contribute to the observation of low concentrations of gadolinium in patients who never have been exposed to gadolinium-based contrast agents.
Elevated gadolinium in a specimen collected more than 96 hours after contrast media infusion does not indicate risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.
Cautions
Urine gadolinium concentration will be elevated if the specimen is collected less than 96 hours after administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents. This elevation is due to the residual gadolinium present from contrast media infusion. An elevated gadolinium in a specimen collected more than 96 hours after contrast media infusion does not definitively indicate risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis or gadolinium toxicity. Ultimately, individuals should consult with their healthcare providers to interpret any test results.
Gadolinium may also be present in the effluent of metropolitan sewage treatment plants and in the rivers near metropolitan areas. Sewage treatment does not remove gadolinium. Anthropogenic sources of gadolinium could contribute to low concentrations of gadolinium excreted in the urine.
Clinical Reference
1. Othersen JB, Maize JC, Woolson RF, Budisavljevic MN. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis after exposure to gadolinium in patients with renal failure. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2007;22:3179-3185
2. Christensen KN, Lee CU, Hanley MM, et al. Quantification of gadolinium in fresh skin and serum samples from patients with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;64(1):91-96
3. Telgmann L, Sperling M, Karst U. Determination of gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents in biological and environmental samples: A review. Analytica Chimica Acta. 2013;764:1-16
4. Daftari Besheli L, Aran S, Shaqdan K, et al. Current status of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Clin Radiol. 2014;69(7):661-668
5. Aime S, Caravan P. Biodistribution of gadolinium-based contrast agents, including gadolinium deposition. J Magn Reson Imaging. 2009;30(6):1259-1267
6. McDonald RJ, McDonald JS, Kallmes DF, et al. Intracranial gadolinium deposition after contrast-enhanced MR imaging. Radiology. 2015;275:772-782
7. Attari H, Cao Y, Elmholdt TR, Zhao Y, Prince MR. A systematic review of 639 patients with biopsy-confirmed nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Radiology. 2019;292(2):376-386
8. Woolen SA, Shankar PR, Gagnier JJ, MacEachern MP, Singer L, Davenport MS. Risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in patients with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease receiving a group II gadolinium-based contrast agent: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2020;180(2):223-230
9. Bornhorst J, Wegwerth P, Day P, et al. Urinary reference intervals for gadolinium in individuals without recent exposure to gadolinium-based contrast agents. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2020;58(3):e87-e90
10. Alwasiyah D, Murphy C, Jannetto P, Hogg M, Beuhler MC. Urinary Gadolinium Levels After Contrast-Enhanced MRI in Individuals with Normal Renal Function: a Pilot Study. J Med Toxicol. 2019;15(2):121-127
Method Description
The metal of interest is analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.(Unpublished Mayo method)
Report Available
2 to 8 daysReject Due To
All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.NY State Approved
YesMethod Name
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Renal Diagnostics Test Request (T830) with the specimen.