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HelpTest Code LI Lithium Level, LAB29
Performing Laboratory
St. Luke's Hospital Cedar Rapids
Specimen Requirements
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Gold-top serum gel tube or plain, red-top tube
Acceptable: Green-top (sodium heparin) tube and EDTA plasma
Specimen: A minimum of 3.2 µL plus a dead volume is required for testing.
Stability: Serum or plasma samples should be physically separated as soon as possible with a maximum limit of two hours from time of collection. Separated specimens are stable at room temperature for 24 hours or can be stored at 2 – 8°C and analyzed within 7 days. For longer storage, samples may be frozen at -18°C for up to 6 months.
Collection Instructions: Hemolyzed specimen or lithium-heparin tube are not acceptable.
Reference Values
Therapeutic range: 0.6-1.2 mmol/L
Critical value: >2.0 mmol/L
Day(s) Test Set Up
Monday through Sunday
Useful For
Lithium is an effective drug for treating the manic phase of affective disorders, mania, and manic-depressive illness.
Lithium concentrations are monitored to ensure patient compliance and prevent toxicity.
Methodology
Colorimetric
Test Classification and CPT Coding
80178
Report Available
STAT within 1 hour of receipt
Routine within 2 hours of receipt