Test ID PBU Lead, 24 Hour, Urine
Useful For
Detecting clinically significant lead exposure
Special Instructions
Method Name
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Reporting Name
Lead, 24 Hr, USpecimen Type
UrineCollection Container/Tube: Clean, plastic urine container with no metal cap or glued insert
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube (Supply T068) or a clean, plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert
Specimen Volume: 10 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect urine for 24 hours.
2. Refrigerate specimen within 4 hours of completion of 24-hour collection.
3. See Trace Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport in Special Instructions for complete instructions.
Additional Information:
1. 24-Hour volume is required.
2. See Urine Preservatives in Special Instructions for multiple collections.
3. High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere with most metals tests. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.
Urine Preservative Collection Options
Ambient |
Yes |
Refrigerated |
Preferred |
Frozen |
Yes |
6N HCl |
Yes |
50% Acetic Acid |
Yes |
Na2CO3 |
No |
Toluene |
Yes |
6N HNO3 |
Yes |
Boric Acid |
No |
Thymol |
No |
Specimen Minimum Volume
2 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 28 days |
Ambient | 28 days | |
Frozen | 28 days |
Clinical Information
Increased urine lead excretion rate indicates significant lead exposure. Measurement of urine lead excretion rate before AND after chelation therapy has been used as an indicator of lead exposure. An increase in lead excretion rate in the post chelation specimen of up to 6 times the rate in the prechelation specimen is normal. Blood lead is the best clinical correlate of toxicity.
For additional information, see PBBD / Lead with Demographics, Blood.
Reference Values
0-4 mcg/specimen
Reference values apply to all ages.
Cautions
This test is not a substitute for blood lead screening.
High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to interfere with most metals tests. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday; 3 p.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday; 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; Continuously
Report Available
1 dayPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
83655