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Lead, Whole Blood
MessagePerforming Lab: Central Lab
Test Code
0531
Alias/See Also
Sunquest: LEADG; Blood Lead, PB
CPT Codes
83655
Preferred Specimen
0.3 mL Lithium or Sodium Heparin (dark green-top) whole blood (no gel)
Minimum Volume
0.1 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
EDTA (lavender-top or pink-top) tube
Instructions
Collection:
Clean surface of skin well before collection to avoid contamination of sample with potential lead in dirt or dust on skin surface.
EDTA collection tubes must be at least half-full of blood or the sample will be rejected. Excess EDTA can bind to lead in the blood causing falsely low results.
Processing:
If venous specimen is collected in a Capiject tube, write “Venous” on the specimen label.
Clean surface of skin well before collection to avoid contamination of sample with potential lead in dirt or dust on skin surface.
EDTA collection tubes must be at least half-full of blood or the sample will be rejected. Excess EDTA can bind to lead in the blood causing falsely low results.
Processing:
If venous specimen is collected in a Capiject tube, write “Venous” on the specimen label.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Room Temp: 3 Days
Refrigerated: 6 Days
Refrigerated: 6 Days
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
EDTA collections not at least half full
Methodology
Anodic Stripping Voltametry (ASV)
Setup Schedule
Monday - Saturday
Report Available
Same day
Limitations
Since fingerstick samples can be contaminated during collection of the specimen, an initial elevated result obtained by a fingerstick sample should be repeated with a venous test for confirmation.
All results are reported to either the Wisconsin or Minnesota Departments of Health as appropriate by HealthPartners Central Laboratory.
All results are reported to either the Wisconsin or Minnesota Departments of Health as appropriate by HealthPartners Central Laboratory.
Reference Range
<5.0 µg/dL
Critical: >= 45.0 µg/dL
Critical: >= 45.0 µg/dL
Clinical Significance
Lead poisoning is a preventable condition that results from environmental exposure to lead. This exposure, indicated by elevated blood lead levels, can result in permanent health damage, especially among children. Lead poisoning can affect almost all parts of the body, but its effects are most pronounced in the central nervous system and kidneys. In children especially, it impairs cognitive development, which can lead to learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Acute lead exposure can cause encephalopathy, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, coma, seizures, and in some cases death. Chronic exposure can cause weakness, prolonged abdominal pain, anemia, nausea, weight loss, fatigue, headache, and loss of cognitive function, especially in children.
