Chromium, Urine
Test Mnemonic
UCHRO
CPT Codes
- 82495 - QTY (1)
Performing Laboratory
ARUP
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 mL | Urine, 24-hour (well-mixed) | Clean container | Refrigerate during collection. | Refrigerated | Must collect in plastic container. Record total volume and collection time interval. Submit specimen in two trace element-free transport tubes (ARUP supply #43116) |
Alternate Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 mL | Urine, random | Clean container | Refrigerated | Must collect in plastic container. Record total volume. Submit specimen in two trace element-free transport tubes (ARUP supply #43116) |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | 1 week |
| Refrigerated | 2 weeks |
| Frozen | 1 year |
Days Performed
Sun - Sat
Turnaround Time
2 - 6 days
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Inductively Coupled Plasma / Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) |
Reference Range
| Chromium, urine - per volume | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| Normal | 0.0 - 2.0 | ug/L | |||
| Chromium, urine (24hrs) | |||||
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| Normal | 0.0 - 2.0 | ug/d | |||
| Chromium, Urine ratio to CRT | |||||
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| Normal | 0.0 - 10.0 | ug/g crt |
Special Info
Diet, medication and nutritional supplements may introduce interfering substances. Patients should be encouraged to discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, nonessential over-the-counter medications (upon the advice of their physician). High concentrations of iodine may interfere with elemental testing. Collection of urine specimens from patients receiving iodinated or gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast media should be avoided for a minimum of 72 hours post-exposure. Collection from patients with impaired kidney function should be avoided for a minimum of 14 days post contrast media exposure. ARUP studies indicate that refrigeration of urine alone, during and after collection, preserves specimens adequately, if tested within 14 days of collection. Urine collected within 72 hours after administration of iodinated or gadolinium (Gd)-based contrast media and acid preserved samples are unacceptable. Specimens contaminated with blood or fecal material are not acceptable. Specimens transported in non-trace element-free transport tubes (with the exception of the original device) are unacceptable. Include total volume and collection interval with specimen. This test is New York DOH approved.
Clinical Info
Chromium urine levels may be used to monitor short term exposure. The form of chromium greatly influences distribution. Trivalent chromium resides in the plasma and is usually not of clinical importance. Hexavalent chromium is considered highly toxic. Symptoms associated with chromium toxicity vary based upon route of exposure and dose and may include dermatitis, impairment of pulmonary function, gastroenteritis, hepatic necrosis, bleeding, and acute tubular necrosis. The ACGIH Biological Exposure Index for daily exposure of hexavalent chromium is an increase of 10 µg/gCRT between pre-shift and post-shift urine collections. The ACGIH Biological Exposure Index for long and short-term hexavalent chromium is an end-of-shift concentration of 30 µg/gCRT at the end of the work week.