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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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LITHIUM LEVEL

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2616    Geisinger Epic ID:  6353

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Serum


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

2 mL aliquot of serum; minimum 0.5 mL.


Patient preparation: 

Preferred specimen is 8 to 10 hours after oral dose.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Allow serum to clot. Centrifuge to separate serum. Specimen should be separated from cells within four (4) hours after collection.


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated (preferred). Room temperature also acceptable.


Specimen stability: 

Room temperature: 1 day. Refrigerated: 7 days. Frozen: 6 months.


Rejection criteria: 

Stability limits exceeded. Lithium heparin plasma.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

0.6 - 1.2 mmol/L.


Critical values/courtesy alerts: 
Above 1.5 mmol/L.
CPT code(s):  80178
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Lithium level.


Methodology: 
Spectrophotometric (Colorimetric)
Synonyms: 

LITH


Clinical significance: 

Lithium is administered to control manic-depressive disorders and measured to monitor appropriate therapeutic ranges.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Hoi-Ying Elsie Yu, PhD, DABCC, FADLM
Sheng-Ying (Margaret) Lo, PhD, DABCC
Review Date:  12/27/2024

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