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Test Code PBDC Lead, Blood, Capillary

Specimen Collection Requirements

Name Blood Lead, Capillary
Alt name Blood Lead, Lead
Dept Elmgrove Chemistry
Specimen Whole Blood
Collection Cont. Lavender EDTA microtainer
Specimen Volume A microtainer filled to at least 1 mL of whole blood (minimum 0.5 mL)
Transport temp Refrigerated Temperature
Stability Refrigerated up to 10 days

Technical Specifications

Performed Business Days 
Reported Next Business Day
Methodology Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS)
Ref range:  Normal: <5.0 ug/dL
Critcal value: Critical: ≥45.0 ug/dL
Linearity range: <1.0 to >60.0 ug/dL
CPT 83655
LOINC 10368-9

Notes

Capillary blood levels greater than 4.9 µg/dL may be contaminated from lead 
found on the finger surface and require confirmation with venous blood.
 
The use of non-certified lead-free tubes might produce a falsely elevated 
result and repeat testing in a Tan Top certified lead free tube is recommended prior 
to initiating chelation or conducting  environmental investigation of potential lead 
sources.
 
To minimize Lead Contamination:
1. Keep the collection area clean and dust free.
2. Clean the venipuncture site with alcohol, not iodine.
3. Do not ream out or remove blood clots from collection tube.
4. Do not insert any objects into the specimen tube or pour off the sample.