Cadmium
- Description
- Cadmium by ICP-MS
- Clinical details
- Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal widely used within industry. It currently has no known biological role. Acute ingestion of cadmium salts can cause nausea and vomiting and inhalation of cadmium fumes develops a ‘metal fume fever'; a pneumonitis with cough, dyspnoea and also myalgia. Cadmium is transported to the liver by plasma proteins where it is bound to metallothionein. This complex is then transported to the kidneys, where the cadium-metallothionein complex dissociates leading to proximal renal tubular damage. Tobacco contains significant concentrations of cadmium, such that smokers may have blood cadmium concentrations that are 4-5 times greater than those of non-smokers. The preferred sample for the measurement of cadmium is whole blood. Cadmium can also be measured in urine but should only be undertaken when blood cadmium indicates significant exposure.
- Reference range
Blood Cadmium; Non-smokers: < 27 nmol/L ; Smokers < 53 nmol/L
Urine Cadmium (24h Urine): Male- 436-29.3 nmol/24h, Female- 3.9-12.2 nmol/24h,
Urine Cadmium (Random): <1.0 nmol/mmol creatinine
- Synonyms
- Cadmium
- Testing site
- Synnovis : Reference Services : King's College Hospital
- Laboratory
- Trace Elements
- Sample type and volume required
- 2ml EDTA whole blood. 20 ml urine (Portion of 24 hour collection [acid-washed bottle] in sterile universal, record total volume on sample tube or request form). Random urine collection in 25ml Sterilin Universal containers.
- Call in advance
- No
- Storage and transport
- Stable at 4°C. Send by overnight first class post.
- Turnaround time
- 10 working days
- Contacts
Toxicology Department at King’s Hospital
Phone: 020 3299 5881
Email: kch-tr.toxicology@nhs.net
King’s College Hospital
Bessemer Wing – 3rd Floor
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RSTrace Elements Laboratory at King’s College Hospital
Phone: 020 3299 3008
Email: kishor.raja@nhs.net
King’s College Hospital
Bessemer Wing – Top Floor
Denmark Hill
London SE5 9RS