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HelpTest ID HGHAR Mercury, Hair
Reporting Name
Mercury, HairUseful For
Detecting mercury exposure in hair specimens
Specimen Type
HairNecessary Information
Indicate source of hair (axillary, head, or pubic) if known.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Hair and Nails Collection Kit (T565)
Source: Head, beard, mustache, chest, pubic
Specimen Volume: 0.2 g
Collection Instructions: Prepare and transport specimen per the instructions in the kit or see Collecting Hair and Nails for Metals Testing.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.05 g
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hair | Ambient (preferred) | |
| Frozen | ||
| Refrigerated | ||
Reference Values
0-15 years: Not established
≥16 years: <1.0 mcg/g of hair
Day(s) Performed
Wednesday
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
Clinical Information
Once absorbed and circulating, mercury becomes bound to numerous proteins, including keratin. The concentration of mercury in hair correlates with the severity of clinical symptoms. If the hair can be segregated by length, such an exercise may be useful in identifying the time of exposure.
Interpretation
Hair grows at a rate of approximately 0.5 inch/month. Hair keratin synthesized today will protrude through the skin in approximately 1 week. Thus, a hair specimen collected at the skin level represents exposure of 1 week ago, 1 inch distally from the skin represents exposure 2 months ago, etc.
Normally, hair contains less than 1 mcg/g of mercury; any amount more than this indicates that exposure to more than normal amounts of mercury may have occurred.
Clinical Reference
1. Marques RC, Dorea JG, Bastos WR, Malm O. Changes in children hair-Hg concentrations during the first 5 years: maternal, environmental and iatrogenic modifying factors. Reg Toxicol Pharmacol 2007;49(1):17-24
2. Canuel R, de Grosbois SB, Atikesse L, et al. New evidence on variations of human body burden of methylmercury from fish consumption. Environ Health Perspect. 2006;114(2):302-306
3. Strathmann FG, Blum LM. Toxic elements. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham CAD, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023:chap 44
Method Description
The metal analytes of interest are analyzed by triple-quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.(Unpublished Mayo method).
Report Available
2 to 14 daysReject Due To
All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.NY State Approved
NoMethod Name
Triple-Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS)
Cautions
Cosmetic and hair dyes can be a potential source of heavy metal contamination.