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Test Code: Man Preferred Name Manganese

No
N/A
External
2 weeks
Non-medicare Item
N/A

Test Tubes

ImageSpecimen TypeSpecimen VolumeTube Type
Blood (adult)5 mLTrace Element EDTA 6.0mL (Dark Blue Top with LAVENDER label highlight)
Blood (paediatric)2 mLTrace Element EDTA 6.0mL (Dark Blue Top with LAVENDER label highlight)

COLLECTION NOTES

A dedicated Trace Element EDTA tube is required (NOT A Trace Element Serum tube).

A tissue Mn may be requested.  This requires a 1-2 cm biopsy washed with saline to remove excess blood and then wrapped in alfoil.

GENERAL NOTES



Results for tissue Mn may take longer than for blood assay.

APPLICATION:  Suspected manganese toxicity (extrapyramidal features) in a patient with a history of possible exposure - miners, steel workers, pigment workers.  See also Heavy Metals.

INTERPRETATION:  The commonest cause of elevated blood manganese is contamination of the specimen.  This occurs because levels in blood are very low whereas manganese compounds are common in the environment and may contaminate skin and blood collection equipment.  Toxicity is not seen with slight elevations.
Clinical disease due to manganese deficiency has not been convincingly demonstrated in humans.

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