Clinical Indications

Aluminium toxicity arises in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) due to two reasons. Firstly, oral aluminium is used as a phosphate binder and intestinal absorption may be enhanced in CRF. Secondly, dialysis fluid may have a high aluminium content although, more recently, this is a rare cause.

Request Form

Combined Pathology Blood form (Yellow/Black)

Availability

Analysed by referral laboratory if specific criteria met.

Specific Criteria

Requested by Consultant Renal Physicians for monitoring patients with renal failure who are being treated with oral aluminium (Alu-Cap).

Patient Preparation

No specific preparation required

Turnaround Time

1 month

Specimen

Plasma

Volume

2 ml

Container

Plastic Lithium Heparin (Sarstedt) - Use batch number that has been checked for aluminium contamination.

Collection

1. Collect blood into a plastic syringe
2. Remove and discard needle
3. Discharge blood into plastic lithium heparin (Sarstedt) tube and recap.
4. Send to laboratory as soon as possible

Lab. Handling

Aliquot and store at 4C

Causes for Rejection

Not meeting specific criteria for analysis. Aluminium is prone to contamination and must be collected using plastic consumables. Glass and gel separator tubes must be avoided.

Reference Range

Greater than 2.2 umol/L indicates increased aluminium body burden. Aluminium concentration in dialysis fluid should not exceed 1.1 umol/L.

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