Chromium, whole blood

Diagnostic Use

Metal on metal hip implants

Department

Lipids/Trace Metals

Delphic Registration Code

BCHR

Laboratory Handling

Laboratory

Gross haemolysis OK, gross lipemia OK, gross icterus OK

Test Adds

Ambient 28 days, refrigerated (preferred) 28 days, frozen 28 days

Turnaround Time

5 days

Test Code

8767

Specimen Type

• Whole Blood

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Trace Element (Royal Blue Cap)

Acceptable

• Lithium Heparin - Gel (Light Green Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

6

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

2

No of Samples Required

1

Additional Specimen Information

Blood Cobalt can be done on the same specimen

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Whole Blood

Minimum Volume (ml)

2

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)
If overnight - Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Blood Cobalt can be done on the same specimen

Interpretation

Management recommendations for patients with metal-on-metal hip replacement implants;-

Plasma or blood Cobalt level > 119 nmol/L (7 ug/L (ppb)) or

Plasma or blood Chromium level > 135 nmol/L (7 ug/L (ppb)) indicates potential for soft tissue reaction.

Ref:Medicines and healthcare products Regulatory Agency (UK) MDA/2012/008

Reference Intervals

1 – 20 nmol/L

To convert chromium nmol/L to ug/l multiply by 0.052

for example 100 nmol/l = 5.2 ug/L (ppb)

Test Method

ICP-MS

Non-Funded Test Cost

$63.48 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

8767

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

Contact Information

Enquiry Form