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22834 Lithium

Lithium
Test Code: LI
Synonyms/Keywords
​​Li
Useful For
​Lithium, administered as lithium carbonate, is used for treatment of manic-depressive illness.  Concentrations are monitored to ensure patient compliance and to avoid intoxication. 
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Serum/ Plasma​

Serum Separator Tube (SST)​
 Red Top Tube (RTT),
Sodium-heparin Green Top (GTT)
 1 mL​ 0.3 mL​ ​
Collection Processing Instructions
​Indicate collection time.
Serum/plasma should be separated from cells within two hours of collection.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum / Plasma​ ​ ​ Ambient​ 24 hours​
Refrigerate​ 7 days​
Frozen​ 6 months​
Rejection Criteria
Lithium heparin, EDTA, citrate oxalate, or fluoride anticoagulants
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Diagnostic Treatment Center ​Monday through Sunday​ ​Less than 2 hours​ ​Bichromatic Endpoint Technique/Siemens Dimension
Marshfield​ Monday through Sunday​ Less than 2 hours​ Colorimetric Endpoint Assay/Beckman AU ​
Test Information
​Collect just prior to next dose (usually 8-10 hours after an oral dose).
Time to steady state (adult): 2 - 7 days.
Time to peak level: 2-4 hours
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites

Therapeutic: 0.50-1.50 mmol/L


See Critical Value List for list of current critical values​

Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
80178 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
​​Li
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity ​Lithium, Blood
​Cerner ​Lithium Level
​COM ​Lithium
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Serum/ Plasma​

Serum Separator Tube (SST)​
 Red Top Tube (RTT),
Sodium-heparin Green Top (GTT)
 1 mL​ 0.3 mL​ ​
Collection Processing
​Indicate collection time.
Serum/plasma should be separated from cells within two hours of collection.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum / Plasma​ ​ ​ Ambient​ 24 hours​
Refrigerate​ 7 days​
Frozen​ 6 months​
Rejection Criteria
Lithium heparin, EDTA, citrate oxalate, or fluoride anticoagulants
Useful For
​Lithium, administered as lithium carbonate, is used for treatment of manic-depressive illness.  Concentrations are monitored to ensure patient compliance and to avoid intoxication. 
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites

Therapeutic: 0.50-1.50 mmol/L


See Critical Value List for list of current critical values​

For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Diagnostic Treatment Center ​Monday through Sunday​ ​Less than 2 hours​ ​Bichromatic Endpoint Technique/Siemens Dimension
Marshfield​ Monday through Sunday​ Less than 2 hours​ Colorimetric Endpoint Assay/Beckman AU ​
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
80178 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.