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Lead, Whole Blood

Please see Heavy Metals Screen, 24-Hour Urine

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB6978, Beaker: XPBW, Warde: LEAD

Department

Send Outs

Instructions

The MDCH Blood Lead Analysis Report Form must be filled out and submitted with the specimen.

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One Royal Blue-top EDTA tube. (Minimum: 0.2 mL)

Also acceptable: One Lavender-top EDTA tube.

Note: Both venous and capillary blood draws are acceptable for this test.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Do not centrifuge. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) specimen prior to transport. Submit MDCH Blood Lead Analysis Report Form with the specimen.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL whole blood, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.3 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Clotted specimens.
• Frozen specimens.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Do not centrifuge. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) specimen prior to transport. Submit MDCH Blood Lead Analysis Report Form with the specimen.

Transport: 1.0 mL whole blood, refrigerated (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F). (Minimum: 0.3 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 1 month
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Warde Medical Laboratory, Ann Arbor, MI.

Performed

Monday – Friday.
Results available in 2-3 days. 

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry.

Interpretation

Elevated results may be due to skin or collection-related contamination, including use of a non-certified lead-free tube. Elevated levels of blood lead should be confirmed with a second specimen collected in a lead-free tube.

Clinical Utility

This assay aids in the evaluation of lead toxicity and poisoning.

CPT Codes

83655

Contacts

Last Updated

10/10/2023