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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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LEAD, FINGERSTICK

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2597    Geisinger Epic ID:  14373

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Whole blood


Preferred collection container: 
Alternate collection container: 
Lavender-top (K2 EDTA) microcollection tube
Specimen required: 

Microcollection tube of whole blood. Minimum 0.2 mL.


Special notes: 

Use for capillary collection (fingerstick or heel stick only). Do not collect specimen in plasma separator tube (PST).



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Processing instructions: 

Do not centrifuge.


Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated (preferred) or room temperature.


Specimen stability: 

Room temperature or refrigerated: 14 days.


Rejection criteria: 

Specimen collected in plasma separator tube. Stability limits exceeded.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

Less than 16 years old: 0-3.4 ug/dL
16 years old and above: 0–4.9 ug/dL
Elevated lead results based on fingerstick collection should be confirmed with a venipuncture sample.


Critical values/courtesy alerts: 
Less than 16 years old: >= 45 ug/dL
16 years old and above: >=70 ug/dL
Additional information: 

Less than 16 years old: Department of Health is notified of all results. 
16 years old and above: Department of Health is notified if result is at or greater than 5 ug/dL.


CPT code(s):  83655
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: 

Lead.


Methodology: 
Graphite Furnace Atomic Absoprtion (GFAA)
Synonyms: 

Lead, Fingerstick or Heel Stick, Pb, Lead, Micro, LEADM


Clinical significance: 

Used to determine and quantitate the presence of lead in human whole blood. The presence of lead can lead to neurologic damage.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Hoi-Ying Elsie Yu, PhD, DABCC, FADLM
Sheng-Ying (Margaret) Lo, PhD, DABCC
Review Date:  05/06/2025

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