Lithium

Test Code

LITHIUM

Alias/See Also

Chemistry

Preferred Specimen

Plain Red Top Tube

Minimum Volume

2 mL

Transport Temperature

Refrigerate

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 1 day
Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C or colder): 6 months

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Collected in gel tube

Methodology
Colorimetric

Setup Schedule

Daily

Report Available

TAT 1 - 3 days

Reference Range

0.5 - 1.2 mmol/L

Clinical Significance

Lithium is used to treat manic-depressive disorders and the manic phase of affective disorders, including mania. The therapeutic window is relatively small. Therapeutic drug monitoring is useful to optimize dose and avoid toxicity.

Performing Laboratory
Test performed in these BACL Chemistry Labs
Contact: Jonathan Dryjowicz-Burek, West Roxbury 857-203-5973
Alternate contact Diane Robert BR 774-826-2294
Alternate contact Bhumikaben Patel Bedford 781-687-2976

Last Updated: August 6, 2021

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.