ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Nickel, Serum : 0099452

Mnemonic: NICKEL

Methodology: Quantitative Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
Performed: Sun
Reported: 1-8 days
Specimen Required: Patient Prep: Diet, medication, and nutritional supplements may introduce interfering substances. Patients should be encouraged to discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, and non-essential over-the-counter medications (upon the advice of their physician).

Collect: Royal blue (no additive).

Specimen Preparation: Centrifuge; do not allow serum to remain on cells. Transfer 2 mL serum to an ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tube (ARUP supply #43116). Available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™ or contact ARUP Client Services at (800) 522-2787. (Min: 0.5 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature: Room temperature. Also acceptable: Refrigerated or frozen.

Unacceptable Conditions: Separator tubes. Specimens that are not separated from the red cells or clot within 6 hours.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): If the specimen is drawn and stored in the appropriate container, the trace element values do not change with time.

Reference Interval:
Less than or equal to 10.0 µg/L
Interpretive Data: Serum nickel testing is intended to detect potentially toxic exposure.
Note: Elevated results from noncertified trace element-free tubes may be due to contamination.  Elevated concentrations of trace elements in serum should be confirmed with a second specimen collected in a trace element-free tube, such as royal blue (no additive) sterile tube.
CPT Code(s): 83885
Cross References: Ni (Nickel, Serum), NIS (Nickel, Serum)