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Test Code LAB29 Lithium

Useful For

  • Monitoring therapy of patients with bipolar disorders, including recurrent episodes of mania and depression
  • Evaluating lithium toxicity

Methodology

Colorimetric

Performing Laboratory

Bozeman Health Laboratory Services

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Serum
Container/Tube: Red top or gold top
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

  1. Date and time of last dose and date and time of draw are required.
  2. Spin down and separate specimen from cells within 4 hours of collection.

Specimen Rejection:

  1. Lithium heparin samples (light-green top) will be rejected.

Specimen Transport Temperature

Ambient <24 hours/Refrigerated >24 hours

Specimen Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Ambient 24 hours
  Refrigerated 7 days
  Frozen 6 months

Reference Values

Therapeutic concentration: 0.6-1.2 meq/L

Critical value (automatic call-back):  >1.3 meq/L

Additional Information

  • Peak serum levels occur 2 to 4 hours after an oral dose.
  • The half life in serum is 48 to 72 hours and it is cleared through the kidneys.
  • Levels higher than 1.5 mmol/L (12 hours after a dose) indicate a significant risk of intoxication.

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

80178