Mayo Test Catalog, (Sorted By Test Name) - Mayo Medical ...

AGS
8607
FSINE
90282
Chapter 53, Part VI, pp. 961-971, 2007
Silver, Serum
Clinical Information: The bacteriostatic properties of silver have long been recognized. In the 19th
century, silver nitrate was used to treat gonorrheal ophthalmia in the newborn. Current medical uses of
silver-containing compounds include sulfadiazine ointment for burn patients and some nasal
decongestants. Silver-coated sutures and catheters have shown some effectiveness against a broad range
of bacteria. Colloidal silver is contained in various over-the-counter preparations sold in health food
stores. Environmental silver exposure can be the result of manufacture of silver nitrates as germicides,
antiseptics, caustics, and analytical reagents; and for use in photography, mirrors, plating, inks, dyes,
and porcelain. Additionally, sources of exposure include manufacture of silver salts as catalysts in
oxidation-reduction and polymerization reactions; in chemical synthesis, in glass manufacture, in silver
plating, as laboratory reagents, and in medicinal compounds. Silver is not an essential constituent of the
human body. Silver metabolism in humans has been inadequately studied and little reliable data is
available. Some individuals seem to absorb silver selectively. Silver deposits in many organs, including
the subepithelium of skin and mucous membranes producing a syndrome called argyria (greying of the
skin). Argyria is associated with growth retardation, hemopoiesis, cardiac enlargement, degeneration of
the liver, and destruction of renal tubules.
Useful For: Determination of silver exposure
Interpretation: A finding of silver >1,000 ng/mL is indicative of acute silver exposure. Argyria
occurs when silver levels are >2,000 ng/mL. No link between moderately elevated silver serum levels
and symptoms has been reported in peer-reviewed medical literature.
Reference Values: