Lab Dept:

Chemistry

Test Name:

LITHIUM LEVEL

General Information

Lab Order Codes:

LI (Mayo), LIT (MedTox)

Synonyms:

Li, Eskalith®, Lithobid®

CPT Codes:

80178 - Lithium

Test Includes:

Lithium level reported in mmol/L (Mayo) and mEq/L (MedTox).

Logistics

Test Indications:

Monitoring therapy of patients with bipolar disorders, including recurrent episodes of mania and depression.

Lab Testing Sections:

Chemistry - Sendouts

Referred to:

Mayo Medical Laboratories (Test: LIS)
MedTox Laboratories (for Stat availability)

Phone Numbers:

Minneapolis:

Saint Paul:

612-813-6280

651-220-6550

Test Availability:

Daily, 24 hours

Turnaround Time:

1 day

Stat testing referred to MedTox

Special Instructions:

Do not use Lithium Heparin tube.

If this is a STAT order, please check with the provider to see if the specimen should be shipped immediately and performed STAT by the reference lab at an additional cost. If immediate shipment is necessary, please call the lab to make arrangements.

Specimen

Specimen Type:

Blood

Container:

Red top tube

Draw Volume:

3 mL (Minimum: 1.2 mL) blood

Processed Volume:

1 mL (Minimum: 0.4 mL) serum

Collection:

Routine venipuncture

Special Processing:

Lab Staff: Centrifuge specimen, remove serum aliquot into a screw-capped round bottom plastic vial. Store and ship at refrigerated temperatures. Forward promptly.

Patient Preparation:

None

Sample Rejection:

Lithium heparin tube; hemolysis; mislabeled or unlabeled specimens

Interpretive

Reference Range:

0.8 – 1.2 mmol/L

Trough concentration – therapeutic concentration

Critical Values:

>1.6 mmol/L

Limitations:

N/A

Methodology:

Spectrophotometric

References:

Mayo Medical Laboratories Web Site (October 2012)

Updates:

3/1/2004: Test moved from MedTox Laboratories to Mayo Medical Laboratories. Note: Change in lower end of reference range from 0.6 to 0.8 mEq/L.
7/7/2006: Units updated to mmol/L, previously listed as mEq/L for MML.
10/25/2012: Toxic concentration previously listed as >1.5 mmol/L.