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Test Code NIUCR Nickel/Creatinine Ratio, Random, Urine


Ordering Guidance


This test is preferred for the determination of nickel exposure, but serum concentrations can be used to verify an elevated urine concentration. For more information see NIS / Nickel, Serum.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere with most metal tests. If gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.

Supplies: Urine Tubes, 10 mL (T068)

Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube or clean, plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert

Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect a random urine specimen

2. See Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport for complete instructions.


Useful For

Preferred specimen type for biomonitoring nickel exposure

Profile Information

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
NIUC Nickel/Creat Ratio, U No Yes
CRETR Creatinine, Random, U No Yes

Method Name

NIUC: Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

CRETR: Enzymatic Colorimetric Assay

Reporting Name

Nickel/Creat Ratio, Random, U

Specimen Type

Urine

Specimen Minimum Volume

1.2 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
  Frozen  28 days
  Ambient  14 days

Reject Due To

  All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Reference Values

NICKEL:

0-17 years: Not established

Males ≥18 years: <3.8 mcg/g creatinine

Females ≥18 years: <4.3 mcg/g creatinine

 

CREATININE:

≥18 years old: 16-326 mg/dL

Reference values have not been established for patients younger than 18 years of age.

Interpretation

Values of 3.8 mcg/g creatinine and higher for male patients or 4.3 mcg/g creatinine and higher for female patients represent possible environmental or occupational exposure to nickel (Ni).

 

Ni concentrations above 50 mcg/g creatinine are of concern, suggesting excessive exposure.

 

Hypernickelemia, in the absence of exposure, may be an incidental finding or could be due to specimen contamination.

Day(s) Performed

Thursday

Report Available

2 to 8 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

83885

82570

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
NIUCR Nickel/Creat Ratio, Random, U 13472-6

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
CRETR Creatinine, Random, U 2161-8
614553 Nickel/Creat Ratio, U 13472-6