Bromide (Blood)

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Auckland Te Toka Tumai

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Bromide (Blood)

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

BROM

Test Code (Numeric Code)

0828

Laboratory Handling

Laboratory

LabPLUS Trace Metals

Sample Stability

Separated serum or plasma 10 days at 2-8°C
Indefinite if frozen

Turnaround Time

2 weeks

Specimen Type

Plasma
Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Plain (Red Top)

Acceptable

Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
SST II (Gold Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Plain (Red Top)

Acceptable

Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
Lithium Heparin PST- Gel (Light Green Cap)
SST II (Gold Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Diagnostic Use

To assess exposure to inorganic bromide salts (e.g. photograph development, therapeutic use) or organic methyl bromide (e.g. fumigation).

Interpretation

The interpretation of the bromide concentration measured depends on the source of bromide exposure:

Inorganic bromide salt exposure is assessed directly by measuring the concentration of bromide in the serum.
Organic methyl bromide is more toxic than inorganic bromide salts. Methyl bromide is not measured directly; however it is partially metabolised to inorganic bromide, which is measured. Therefore if the exposure is primarily to methyl bromide, a lower level of measurable bromide can still be consistent with clinical toxicity.

Some prescribed medications contain bromide or bromide as an impurity in the medication preparation. Some over the counter medications eg cough mixtures contain bromide. Sauna or hot spa disinfectants may also contain bromide.

The reference intervals shown refer to the measured levels (i.e. inorganic bromide).

The half-life of bromide in serum is 12 days.

Reference Intervals

Units: mmol/L

Methyl Bromide:
Non-exposed background concentration:	< 0.10
Toxic symptoms:	> 0.30

Bromide Salts:
Non-exposed background concentration:	< 0.10
Toxic symptoms:	> 6.0
Potentially lethal:	> 25.0

Test Method

Principle : Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Instrument : PlasmaQuant MS Elite

Uncertainty of Measurement

10%

Last updated: 27/08/2026

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Testing Laboratory

Department

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

Test Code (Numeric Code)

Laboratory Handling

Laboratory

Sample Stability

Turnaround Time

Specimen Type

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

Minimum Volume (ml)

Transport to Lab

Diagnostic Use

Interpretation

Reference Intervals

Test Method

Uncertainty of Measurement

Resources

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

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Bromide (Blood)

Overview

Testing Laboratory

Department

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

Test Code (Numeric Code)

Laboratory Handling

Laboratory

Sample Stability

Turnaround Time

Specimen

Specimen Type

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

Acceptable

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

Referral

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

Minimum Volume (ml)

Transport to Lab

Clinical Information/Test Method

Diagnostic Use

Interpretation

Reference Intervals

Test Method

Uncertainty of Measurement

Additional Information

Resources

Contact Information

Contact Information

Enquiry Form

Search tests