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Test Name:
Silver, Serum
- SBMF No:
42281 - Performance Lab Name:
Mayo Medical Laboratories - Test Mnemonic:
AGS - ABN:
Required – Not FDA-Approved - CPT Code:
83789 - LOINC Code:
19146-0 - Ref Lab Test No:
8607 - Also Known As:
Ag (Silver) - Spec Type:
Serum - Spec Container:
Dark blue (royal) top tube (trace element-free - serum) provided in SBMF “Trace Metal Collection Kit” (order SBMF stock #7208)
IMPORTANT: Do not use dark blue (royal) top (EDTA) tube - Pref Vol:
1.0 mL - Min Vol:
0.4 mL - Patient Prep:
High concentrations of gadolinium are known to interfere with most metals tests. If gadolinium-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 48 hours. - Spec Collect:
Routine venipuncture - Spec Process:
Clot 30 minutes
Promptly centrifuge 15 minutes
Within 60 minutes of collection time, “pour off” serum into the metal-free plastic vial provided in the SBMF “Trace Metal Collection Kit”
Do not use pipettes or wooden sticks to aid in specimen transfer - Spec Store Transport:
Refrigerated - Methodology:
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) - Use:
Determination of silver exposure - Clinical Significance:
The bacteriostatic properties of silver have long been recognized. In the 19th century, silver nitrate was used to treat gonorrheal opthalmia in the newborn. Current medical uses of silver-containing compounds include sulfadiazine ointment for burn patients and some nasal decongestants. Silver-coated sutures and catheters have shown some effectiveness against a broad range of bacteria. Colloidal silver is contained in various over-the-counter preparations sold in health food stores.
Environmental silver exposure can be the result of manufacture of silver nitrates as germicides, antiseptics, caustics, and analytical reagents; and for use in photography, mirrors, plating, inks, dyes, and porcelain. Additionally, sources of exposure include manufacture of silver salts as catalysts in oxidation-reduction and polymerization reactions; in chemical synthesis, in glass manufacture, in silver plating, as lab reagents, and in medicinal compounds.
Silver is not an essential constituent of the human body. Silver metabolism in humans has been inadequately studied and little reliable data is available. Some individuals seem to absorb silver selectively. Silver deposits in many organs, including the subepithelium of skin and mucous membranes producing a syndrome called argyria (greying of the skin). Argyria is associated with growth retardation, hemopoiesis, cardiac enlargement, degeneration of the liver, and destruction of renal tubules.
- Reference Range:
<15 ng/mL
Interpretation:
A finding of silver greater than 1,000 ng/mL is indicative of acute silver exposure. Argyria occurs when silver levels are greater than 2,000 ng/mL. No link between moderately elevated silver serum levels and symptoms has been reported in peer-reviewed medical literature. - Additional Test Info:
Urine silver analysis is not an acceptable alternative to this test; studies have demonstrated silver is rapidly lost from urine specimens under all routine preservation conditions.
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- Day Run:
Wed - Time Run:
5:00 pm - Time Reported:
Within 8 days - Test Type:
CHEMISTRY
