Test Preparation : No special preparation required
Sample : SERUM
Methodlogy : AAS (ICP-OES)
Description :
WHAT IS IT?
A common screening for aluminum toxicity in dialysis patients is the aluminum test. Checking metallic prosthetic implantware is also beneficial. Environmental exposures lead to the heavy metal aluminum. The manufacturing industry, paints, solvents, as well as soil, air, and water pollution, are common sources of this metal. Aluminum accumulation that exceeds the recommended limit (5–10 mg) is poisonous and deadly for the brain and bones. Dialysis dementia has been linked to brain deposition, where bone formation interferes with proper calcium exchange, as a key contributing factor. Under the physiological control of parathyroid hormone, the bone calcium becomes unavailable for blood resorption, which results in secondary hyperparathyroidism. On the other hand, patients with metallic joint prostheses experience higher serum Aluminum amount due to prosthetic devices developed by multinational corporations that are made of aluminum, vanadium, and titanium. Aluminum levels in the blood are quantitatively analyzed during the test to identify heavy metal intoxication and its negative consequences.
WHY?
For all ages, the reference range is 0 to 6 ng/mL, with dialysis patients' reference ranges exceeding 60 ng/mL. Greater than this range shows the significant toxicity of aluminum. Renal failure may be suggested when there is a high amount of aluminum because these people lose their ability to filter out aluminum. Patients with renal failure who are not receiving dialysis have elevated blood aluminum levels. As a result, it's crucial for routine screening. Patients with renal failure who do not exhibit osteomalacia or encephalopathy symptoms have blood albumin levels < 20 ng/mL, but secondary hyperthyroidism is present due to their high PTH levels (>150 pg/mL parathyroid hormone). Prosthetic use increases blood Aluminum levels (>10 ng/mL), which is likely related to an Aluminum-based implant that is not being dialyzed and to essential prosthetic wear.
PRECAUTIONS
The patients are recommended to avoid antacids and medications consist of Aluminum before the test. High concentration of gadolinium and iodine are known to influence the metal tests. So gadolinium or iodine-containing media shouldn't be collected for 96 hours. It's advised to use only specified containers of LPL for the test.
