Diet, medication, and nutritional supplements may introduce interfering substances. Upon the advice of their physician, patients should be encouraged to discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, and nonessential over-the-counter medications for one week prior to sample draw.
Collect
Royal blue (no additive), royal blue (K2EDTA), or royal blue (NaHep).
Specimen Preparation
Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 2 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tube (ARUP supply #43116) available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™or contact ARUP Client Services at 800-522-2787 (Min: 0.5 mL). Do not use utensils (i.e., syringes, needles, or pipettes) in the collection or transfer of the sample, pour directly into transport tube.
Unacceptable Conditions
Specimens that are not separated from the red cells or clot within 2 hours. Specimens collected in containers other than specified. Specimens transported in containers other than specified. Hemolyzed specimens.
Storage/Transport Temperature
Room temperature. Also acceptable: Refrigerated or frozen.
Elevated results may be due to skin or collection-related contamination, including the use of a noncertified metal-free collection/transport tube. If contamination concerns exist due to elevated levels of serum/plasma zinc, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified metal-free tube is recommended.
Circulating zinc concentrations are dependent on albumin status and are depressed with malnutrition. Zinc may also be lowered with infection, inflammation, stress, oral contraceptives, and pregnancy. Zinc may be elevated with zinc supplementation or fasting. Elevated zinc concentrations may interfere with copper absorption.
Diet, medication, and nutritional supplements may introduce interfering substances. Upon the advice of their physician, patients should be encouraged to discontinue nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, and nonessential over-the-counter medications for one week prior to sample draw.
Collect
Royal blue (no additive), royal blue (K2EDTA), or royal blue (NaHep).
Specimen Preparation
Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 2 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP Trace Element-Free Transport Tube (ARUP supply #43116) available online through eSupply using ARUP Connect™or contact ARUP Client Services at 800-522-2787 (Min: 0.5 mL). Do not use utensils (i.e., syringes, needles, or pipettes) in the collection or transfer of the sample, pour directly into transport tube.
Unacceptable Conditions
Specimens that are not separated from the red cells or clot within 2 hours. Specimens collected in containers other than specified. Specimens transported in containers other than specified. Hemolyzed specimens.
Storage/Transport Temperature
Room temperature. Also acceptable: Refrigerated or frozen.
Elevated results may be due to skin or collection-related contamination, including the use of a noncertified metal-free collection/transport tube. If contamination concerns exist due to elevated levels of serum/plasma zinc, confirmation with a second specimen collected in a certified metal-free tube is recommended.
Circulating zinc concentrations are dependent on albumin status and are depressed with malnutrition. Zinc may also be lowered with infection, inflammation, stress, oral contraceptives, and pregnancy. Zinc may be elevated with zinc supplementation or fasting. Elevated zinc concentrations may interfere with copper absorption.
Laboratories.