Ordering Recommendation

Monitor patient adherence and exposure.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation

Specimens are commonly drawn approximately 12 hours after last dose of lithium taken.

Collect

Clot Activator Tube, Plain Red, or Green (Sodium Heparin).

Specimen Preparation

Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 1 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.2 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Frozen.

Unacceptable Conditions

Specimens collected in lithium heparin or sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate. Grossly hemolyzed specimens.

Remarks
Stability

After separation from cells: Ambient: 24 hours; Refrigerated: 7 days; Frozen: 6 months

Methodology

Colorimetry

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

Within 24 hours

Reference Interval

Therapeutic: 0.5-1.2 mmol/L
Toxic: 1.6 or greater mmol/L

Interpretive Data



Compliance Category

FDA

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

80178

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0020038 Lithium, Serum or Plasma 14334-7
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • Li concentration
Lithium, Serum or Plasma