Ordering Guidance

Urine is the preferred specimen type for determining nickel exposure and potential toxicity. Order NIU / Nickel, 24 Hour, Urine or NIUCR / Nickel/Creatinine Ratio, Random, Urine.

This test should not be ordered for the investigation of nickel hypersensitivity. Instead, order testing for lymphocyte proliferation to nickel.

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 Specimen Vial (T173)

Collection Container/Tube: Royal blue-top (metal-free, no additive)

Submission Container/Tube: 7-mL Mayo metal-free, screw-capped, vial

Specimen Volume: 0.55 mL Serum

Collection Instructions:

1. Allow the specimen to clot for 30 minutes; then centrifuge the specimen to separate serum from the cellular fraction.

2. Remove the stopper. Carefully pour specimen into a Mayo metal-free, screw-capped vial, avoiding transfer of the cellular components of blood. Do not insert a pipet into the serum to accomplish transfer, and do not ream the specimen with a wooden stick to assist with serum transfer.

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