Copper, Liver

Diagnostic Use

Copper and iron are measured in liver biopsy samples using ICP-MS. The samples are received frozen wrapped in tin foil.
They must be dried to constant weight, the sample weight obtained, and then digested with concentrated nitric acid to break down the tissue and form a homogeneous solution. Following digesting, the samples are made up to constant volume with Water 1 and assayed as soon as possible. The biopsy sample is for the determination of iron for Hemochromatosis and alcoholic liver disease and copper measurement for Wilsons disease.

Department

Lipids/Trace Metals

Delphic Registration Code

LV

Laboratory Handling

Registration

Please store in the freezer on arrival at the laboratory

Separating

Please store in the freezer on arrival at the laboratory, to Lipids / Trace Metals- Freezer

Laboratory

Please store in the freezer on arrival at the laboratory

Test Adds

Not applicable, for this sample type.

Synonyms

Liver Copper

Turnaround Time

4 weeks

Test Code

4263

Specimen Type

• Biopsy

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Pottle

Additional Specimen Information

A needle liver biopsy of 2mm x 2mm (punch): 0.5mg by dry weight is required. Sample should immediately be placed on a 5 cm square of aluminium foil. The foil is then folded like an envelope, placed in a urine pottle and sent to the Laboratory on ice.
Freezing of the sample will prevent bacterial growth and protect the liver sample from contamination by environmental iron and copper.
Brief clinical details should be included plus ferritin, iron and %saturation levels in cases of suspected haemochromatosis.

Aliquot Instructions

Transport to Lab

Frozen

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Dry overnight at 37°C or freezer - 20°C. Minimum 0.5 mg dried weight.

Reference Intervals

0 – 50 ug/g dry tissue

Test Method

ICP-MS

Non-Funded Test Cost

$132.66 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

4269

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

Contact Information

Enquiry Form