Chromium (Cr) has many industrial uses and is discharged in the environment as industrial waste. In the body, it exists in the +3 and +6 oxidation states. Cr functions in the control of glucose and lipid metabolism. Cr potentiates insulin action and insulin resistance may be the result of chromium deficiency. Insulin appears to be ineffective as a glucose regulator without Cr.
Deficiency symptoms may include high or low blood glucose, lean tissue wasting, anxiety, fatigue, retarded growth, decreased glycogen reserves, high blood lipids and possibly heart disease and diabetes.
Sources for Cr are brewer's yeast, liver, meat, cheese, legumes, beans, peas, whole grains, black pepper, and molasses.
REFERENCES:
- Harrison, W. W.: The determination of trace elements in human hair by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Clinica Chimica Acta, 1969:23; 36-39
- Boss, C.B., Fredeen K.J.: Concepts, instrumentation and techniques in inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, 2nd Ed, 1999, Perkin Elmer Corporation.
- Losi, M.E., et al.: Environmental biochemistry of chromium. Rev. Environ. Contam. Toxicol., 1994, 136:91-121.
- Freund, H., Atamian, S, Fisher, J.E.: Chromium deficiency during TPN. JAMA, 1979, 241:496-498.
- COLLECTION CONTAINER:
- Trace element non-additive tube
- COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS:
- LCHRB-Chromium-Serum.pdf
- STATE & SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS:
- We cannot ship lab kits to NY, AK, HI, or international
- MINIMUM VOLUME:
- 0.1 mL
- NORMAL VALUES:
- Serum = 0.1 to 1.7 ug/L
- PATIENT PREP:
- None
- PROCESS METHOD:
- The methodology is by atomic absorption/ICP.
- PROCESS TIME:
- 5 to 7 business days
- REJECTION CAUSES:
- Hemolysis
- SPECIMEN VOLUME:
- 0.5 mL serum
- TRANSPORT CONTAINER:
- Metal-free plastic transport tube
- TRANSPORT INSTRUCTIONS:
- Refrigerate or freeze
