What this test measures
Serum or whole-blood nickel reflects recent exposure (last days to weeks). Urine nickel reflects ongoing absorption. Nickel is ubiquitous in jewellery, coins, kitchen utensils, mobile phone casings; chronic skin contact causes one of the commonest type-IV contact allergies. Systemic nickel toxicity is mostly occupational (electroplating, stainless steel manufacture, nickel refining, battery manufacture).
Why it matters
Nickel-contact dermatitis affects 10–20% of Indian women (jewellery, bra clasps, watch straps) but the diagnosis is made by patch testing on the back, not blood. Occupational concerns include lung and nasal cancer in refinery workers and asthma in electroplating workers. Acute nickel carbonyl inhalation (industrial accidents) is rapidly fatal.
How to prepare
Trace-metal-free royal-blue-top tube. No fasting required. Disclose occupational exposure and any metal joint prostheses (some contain nickel). Note that ordinary skin contact with nickel jewellery does NOT raise blood levels meaningfully — patch testing is the right test for suspected contact allergy.
Markers & reference ranges
Reference ranges below are typical adult values. Your lab's reported range may differ slightly based on the assay platform and patient demographics — always read your report against the range printed on it.
| Marker | Normal range | If low | If high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum / Whole-blood Nickel (µg/L)[1][2] | < 1.0 | Undetectable — no significant exposure (the expected state). | 1–10 µg/L: low-grade occupational exposure — review ventilation / PPE. 10–50: significant — investigate work environment and sampling for accuracy. > 50: high — acute industrial exposure or extreme chronic exposure; remove from source; clinical evaluation. |
Nickel exposure bands
| Nickel (µg/L) | Status | Action |
|---|---|---|
| < 1 | Background | No action |
| 1 – 10 | Low-grade occupational | Review PPE / ventilation |
| 10 – 50 | Significant exposure | Investigate source; clinical review |
| > 50 | High | Remove from source; medical evaluation |
Frequently asked questions
I get a rash from my watch strap — should I do a blood nickel test?
No — for nickel contact allergy the right test is patch testing on the back (TRUE test or finn-chamber series with nickel sulphate 5%). Blood nickel does not reflect contact-allergy risk.
Are stainless steel utensils dangerous?
No. Food-grade stainless steel releases trivial nickel; cumulative dietary nickel is well within safe limits.
Can nickel cause cancer?
Occupational inhalation exposure (nickel refinery, electroplating dust) increases lung and nasal cancer risk — classified IARC Group 1 carcinogen. Dietary or contact exposure has no convincing cancer link.
Are gold and platinum jewellery nickel-free?
Pure 24-carat gold and platinum are nickel-free. Lower-purity gold (14k, 18k) often contains nickel as an alloy. White gold typically contains nickel unless labelled nickel-free.
Will hip / knee implants raise blood nickel?
Most modern implants are titanium- or cobalt-chromium-based. Some older or budget stainless implants contain nickel and may modestly raise serum nickel — confirm with the manufacturer.
Related Toxicology / Trace Elements tests
Tests commonly ordered alongside NICKEL, or that help interpret an unexpected result.
Sources & references
- ATSDR — Toxicological Profile for Nickel · accessed 2026-05-30T00:00:00.000Z
- Mayo Clinic Labs — Nickel, Blood · accessed 2026-05-30T00:00:00.000Z
- OSHA — Nickel · accessed 2026-05-30T00:00:00.000Z
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