Fluoride, Serum

Diagnostic Use

Measurement of serum fluoride may be useful for assessing accidental fluoride ingestion and monitoring patients receiving sodium fluoride for bone disease or patients receiving voriconazole therapy. For industrial workplace exposure monitoring to fluoride, urine is the specimen needed.

Fluoride induces bone formation by stimulating osteoblasts. Because fluorides increase bone density, they are used in dental preparations and as an anti-osteoporotic agent. However, prolonged high exposure to fluoride produces changes in bone morphology consistent with osteomalacia, including prolonged mineralization lag time and increased osteoid thickness. Chronic fluorosis may produce osteosclerosis, periostitis, calcification of ligaments and tendons, and crippling deformities.

Department

Lipids/Trace Metals

Delphic Registration Code

SFL

Laboratory Handling

Laboratory

Gross haemolysis OK, gross lipemia OK, gross icterus OK

Test Adds

Ambient 14 days, refrigerated (preferred) 14 days, frozen 14 days

Turnaround Time

7 days

Test Code

4085

Specimen Type

• Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

7

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

5

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

5

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

2

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum

Minimum Volume (ml)

2

Transport to Lab

Ambient (8 - 24 degrees Celsius)

Interpretation

A serum fluoride concentration above the reference interval suggests excess exposure to fluoride.

Reference Intervals

0.3 – 2.2 umol/L

Patients on fluoride treatment 3.3 – 13.7 umol/L

Test Method

Ion selective electrode

Non-Funded Test Cost

$104.83 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

4085

Additional Costing Information

Urgent testing by arrangement

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

Contact Information

Enquiry Form