Lithium (NY)

Test Code

14015

CPT Codes
80178<br><strong>For non-New York patient testing, use test code 613</strong>

Preferred Specimen

2 mL serum

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

2 mL plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 10 days
Refrigerated: 10 days
Frozen: Not established

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

Lithium anticoagulant

Methodology
Immunoassay (IA) • Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS) • Spectrometry • Spectrophotometry (SP)

Setup Schedule

Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: Next day

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.

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.