Sign in →

Test Code 545 Lithium

Additional Codes

ALAB: LITH

PowerChart: Lithium Level

MA Cerner: Lithium Level.

Test Method

Spectrophotometric with Thermo Lithium Reagent; Beckman DxC700AU

Specimen Requirement

0.5 mL serum or EDTA plasma is required.

Additional Specimen Collection Information

Collect blood in an EDTA purple-top tube or a red-top tube. Serum and plasma gel tubes are not acceptable.

Serum or plasma should be separated from contact with the cells within 2 hours of collection. Specimens not centrifuged within 4 hours of collection may be rejected. Refrigerate the specimen if unable to assay within 8 hours of collection. Samples with >2+ lipemia must be cleared prior to analysis.

Performance

Testing is performed Monday through Sunday.

Routine orders: Typically completed within 4 hours; Mercy DV and MA West within 24 hours

Expedite orders: Typically completed within 1 hour after the specimen arrives at the testing site.

STAT orders: Typically completed within 45 minutes after the specimen arrives at the testing site.

Reference Values

0.6-1.2 meq/L

  • Toxic Level: > 1.5 meq/L

CPT Code Information

80178 Therapeutic Drug Level: Lithium

Useful For

Monitoring therapy of patients with bipolar disorders, including recurrent episodes of mania and depression

Evaluating toxicity

LOINC Code Information

14334-7 Lithium [Moles/Volume] In Serum Or Plasma