LEAD, WHOLE BLOOD

Test Code

LEAD2 (OE & LAB)

CPT Codes
83655

Preferred Specimen

1 Tan tube (lead-free EDTA)

Note: Lavender EDTA vacutainer cannot be used due to lead concentration in the stopper.

Patient Preparation
None

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL (2 mL optimal)

Other Acceptable Specimens

1 Royal blue tube (EDTA, trace element free - do not collect Royal blue for serum)

OR

2 Lavender microtainers will be accpted (Pediatric)

Instructions

DO NOT CENTRIFUGE

Transport Container

Tan tube OR Blue tube OR Microtainers

Transport Temperature

Room temperature or refrigerate

Specimen Stability

15-30°C up to 4 months
2-8°C up to 4 months

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

Clotted samples will be rejected
Samples collected in an EDTA vacutainer tube will be rejected

Methodology
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Setup Schedule

M, T, W, Th, F

Batched; Day shift

Report Available

Within 24 hours

Reference Range

Age	Value (ug/dL)
0-16 years	0 - 3.4
Adult	0 - 4.9

Clinical Significance

Recommended for routine testing for lead exposure.

Information sources for reference intervals and interpretive comments include the 2021 update of the CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health, Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice: Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention, the 2021 update of the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES), “CDC Response to the 2012 Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning and Prevention Report,” and the “Recommendations for Medical Management of Adult Lead Exposure, Environmental Health Perspectives, 2007.” Thresholds and time intervals for retesting, medical evaluation, and response vary by state and regulatory body. Contact your State Department of Health and/or applicable regulatory agency for specific guidance on medical management recommendations.

Age	Concentration	Comment
All ages	3.5 – 9.9 ug/dL	Adverse health effects are possible, particularly in children under 6 years of age and pregnant women. Discuss health risks associated with continued lead exposure. For children and women who are or may become pregnant, reduce lead exposure.
All ages	10.0 – 19.9 ug/dL	Reduced lead exposure and increased biological monitoring are recommended.
All ages	20.0 – 69.9 ug/dL	Removal from lead exposure and prompt medical evaluation are recommended. Consider chelation therapy when concentrations exceed 45 ug/dL and symptoms of lead toxicity are present.

Performing Laboratory
Alverno Central Lab

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.