A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Lithium, Serum

Test Code
LI


CPT Codes
80178

Preferred Specimen

Serum (gold or red top tube)



Minimum Volume
0.5 mL


Instructions

Do not collect specimen in Lithium Heparin tube as this will falsely increase the lithium concentration.



Transport Container

Serum (gold or red top) tube



Transport Temperature
Room Temperature or Refrigeration


Specimen Stability
Room Temperature - 8 hours; Refrigerated - 24 hours


Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Quantity Not Sufficient, IV contamination


Methodology
Colorimetric

Setup Schedule

Daily upon receipt



Report Available
Upon completion of testing


Reference Range

Therapeutic Range:  0.6 - 1.2 mmol/L



Clinical Significance

Lithium is used in the treatment of bipolar (manic-depressive) illness. Lithium measurements are used to monitor patient compliance and therapy and to diagnose potential overdose. Symptoms of lithium intoxication include sluggishness, drowsiness, muscle weakness, and ataxia.





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.