Test Overview
Clinical Utility
Serum Chromium concentrations can be used for nutritional assessment in patients on TPN. Serum concentration reflects day-to-day Chromium variations. The measurement of Chromium in erythrocytes provides a better index of body content than the measurement of Chromium in serum. Whole blood Chromium is recommended for monitoring following orthopedic arthroplasty.
Method
High resolution sector field inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (HR-SF-ICP-MS)
Result Included
Chromium (µg/L); Chromium (nmol/L)
Specimen
Specimen Type
Avoid gel separator tubesSerum
Containers
Preferred Containers
BD 6 ml Non Additive Royal Blue Vacutainer (Reference # 368380)
Volume
Sample Volume
3.0 mL
Minimum Volume
1.0 mL
Specimen Comment
Avoid gel separator tubes.
Collection & Handling
Collection Instructions
Collect in contaminant-free tube with clot-activator. Avoid hemolysis.
Handling Information
Separate as soon as possible and transfer plasma to polypropylene vial. Store and send cold.
Additional Information
Concentrations of chromium are higher in erythrocytes than in serum. The results in serum may be falsely elevated if not separated within 30 m and/or hemolysis is present.
Stability
| Ambient | Refrigerated | Frozen |
|---|---|---|
| 22 days | 14 months | 14 months |
Rejection Criteria
| Criteria | Specification |
|---|---|
| Hemolysis | Visible |
Performance & Interpretation
Turnaround Time
10 days
Results
-
Chromiumµg/L0.10 - 0.20
-
Chromiumnmol/L1.9 - 3.8
Referral Location
Canada
Test Version
Last Updated
2022-01-03