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Catalog ID Li Lvl Lithium

CPOE Test Name

Lithium Level

Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Requirements

5 mL gold top SST tube; 2 mL blood

Causes for Rejection

Wrong container; improper labeling; insufficient quantity; failure to record dose and specimen collection times

Reference Values

0.6 – 1.2 mEq/L

Critical Values

≥ 2.0 mEq/mL

Interpretation

Therapeutic range = 6.5 mEq/L to 1.5 mEq/L based on a 12 hour standardized Lithium level (ie. drawn 12 hours after the last dose at steady-state).

Acute treatment = 0.8 mEq/L to 1.2 mEq/L

Maintenance = 0.6 mEq/L to 1 mEq/L

Mild toxicity =1.5 mEq/L to 2 mEq/L

Moderate toxicity = 2 mEq/L to 2.5 mEq/L

Severe toxicity = 2.5 mEq/L to 3.5 mEq/L

Life threatening > 3.5 mEq/L

Potentially fatal >5

Performing Lab

Core Laboratory, BI 2023 721-2120

Turn Around Time

Urgent/Emergent 1 hour; Routine 2 – 4 hours

CPT / HCPCS Code

80178