Medtox
Synonyms
Cyanide; Thiocyanate
Test Includes
Cyanide, blood; Thiocyanate, urine
Expected Turnaround Time
3 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Related Information
In-house validated method
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Whole blood, NaF/oxalate AND urine (random)
Volume
1 mL whole blood, 2 mL urine
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL whole blood, 0.3 mL urine
Container
Whole blood: gray-top (NaF/oxalate) tube; urine: plastic urine container or transport tube without preservative
Collection
Collection time: Daily for duration of prolonged nitroprusside therapy
Storage Instructions
Submission/transport (<3 days): Refrigerate. For storage beyond three days, specimen should be frozen.
Test Details
Methodology
High performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC/FL); Spectrophotometry (SPEC)
Reference Interval
Cyanide, WB: Normal (unexposed population): non-smoker: less than 0.025 mg/L; smoker: average 0.41 mg/L. Exposed: Levels of less than 0.2 mg/L have been found to be non-toxic; however, levels of 0.5 to 1.0 mg/L have been associated with tachycardia and flushing. Toxic: Levels of 1.0 - 2.5 mg/L have been associated with obtundation, coma and respiratory depression with levels greater than 2.5 mg/L, and death with values greater than 3 mg/L. Thiocyanate, urine: Not established.