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Test Code HMNA Heavy Metals, Nails

Reporting Name

Heavy Metals, Nails

Useful For

Detection of nonacute arsenic, mercury, and lead exposure

Profile Information

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
ASNA Arsenic, Nails Yes Yes
PBNA Lead, Nails Yes Yes
HGNA Mercury, Nails Yes Yes

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Nail


Necessary Information


Indicate source of nails (fingernails or toenails), if known



Specimen Required


Supplies: Hair and Nails Collection Kit (T565)

Specimen Volume: 0.2 g

Collection Instructions:

1. Prepare and transport specimen per the instructions in the kit or see Collecting Hair and Nails for Metals Testing.

2. Clippings should be taken from all 10 fingernails or toenails.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.05 g

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Nail Ambient (preferred)
  Frozen 
  Refrigerated 

Reference Values

ARSENIC

0-15 years: Not established

≥16 years: <1.0 mcg/g of nails

 

LEAD

<4.0 mcg/g of nails

Reference values apply to all ages.

 

MERCURY

0-15 years: Not established

≥16 years: <1.0 mcg/g of nails

Day(s) Performed

Tuesday

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

82175- ASNA

83655- PBNA

83825- HGNA

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
HMNA Heavy Metals, Nails 94574-1

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
2535 Arsenic, Nails 8157-0
2509 Mercury, Nails 8204-0
2506 Lead, Nails 8202-4
PBNSC Specimen Source 31208-2
HGNSC Specimen Source 31208-2
ASNSC Specimen Source 31208-2

Interpretation

Nails grow at a rate of approximately 0.1 inch/month. Nail keratin synthesized today will grow to the distal end in approximately 6 months. Thus, a nail specimen collected at the distal end represents exposure of 6 months ago.

 

ARSENIC

Nail arsenic above 1.0 mcg/g dry weight may indicate excessive exposure. It is normal for some arsenic to be present in nails, as everybody is exposed to trace amounts of arsenic from the normal diet.

 

The highest hair or nail arsenic observed at Mayo Clinic was 210 mcg/g dry weight in a case of chronic exposure, which was the cause of death.

 

MERCURY

Normally, nails contain less than 1 mcg/g of mercury; any amount above this indicates that exposure to more than normal amounts of mercury may have occurred.

 

LEAD

Normally, the nail lead content is below 4.0 mcg/g. While nail lead content above 10.0 mcg/g may indicate significant lead exposure, nails are also subject to potential external contamination with environmental lead. Ultimately, the nail lead content needs to be interpreted in addition to the overall clinical scenario including symptoms, physical findings, and other diagnostic results when determining further actions.

Clinical Reference

1. Hindmarsh JT, McCurdy RF: Clinical and environmental aspects of arsenic toxicity. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 1986;23(4):315-347

2. Strumylaite L, Ryselis S, Kregzdyte R: Content of lead in human hair from people exposed to lead. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2004;207(4):345-351

3. Barbosa F, Tanus-Santos J, Gerlach R, Parsons P: A critical review of biomarkers used for monitoring human exposure to lead: advantages, limitations, and future needs. Environ Health Perspect. 2005;113(12):1669-1674

4.  Sanna E, Liguori A, Palmes L, Soro MR, Floris Ge Blood and hair lead levels in boys and girls living in two Sardinian towns at different risks of lead pollution. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2003;55(3):293-299

5. DiPietro ES, Phillips DL, Paschal DC, Neese JW. Determination of trace elements in human hair. Biol Trace Elem Res. 1989;22(1):83-100

6. Strathmann FG, Blum LM: Toxic elements. In: Nader R, Horwath AR, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023:chap 44

Report Available

2 to 8 days

Method Name

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)