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Lithium
Test Code613
CPT Codes
80178
Preferred Specimen
2 mL serum
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Plasma collected in: EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Instructions
Collect just prior to next dose
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 10 days
Refrigerated: 10 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 10 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Plasma from lithium-based anticoagulants
Methodology
Immunoassay (IA) • Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS) • Spectrometry • Spectrophotometry (SP)
Setup Schedule
A.M. Sets up 6 days a week.
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.
