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TEST ID PBDC Lead, Capillary, with Demographics, Blood

Reporting Name

Lead, Capillary, w/Demographics, B

Specimen Type

Whole blood


Ordering Guidance


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends venous collection of samples for lead testing. Capillary lead testing is acceptable for pediatrics and patients with phlebotomy considerations, but capillary blood collection may be more susceptible to contamination. Elevated capillary blood levels must be confirmed with a venous lead blood test. See PBDV / Lead, Venous, with Demographics, Blood.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: High concentrations of gadolinium and iodine are known to potentially interfere with most inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry-based metal testing. If either gadolinium- or iodine-containing contrast media has been administered, a specimen should not be collected for 96 hours.

Supplies: Microtainer (EDTA) Tube, 0.5 mL (T174)

Collection Container/Tube: BD Microtainer with EDTA

Specimen Volume: 0.4 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. See Metals Analysis Specimen Collection and Transport for complete instructions.

2. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. Do not aliquot.


Specimen Minimum Volume

0.1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Whole blood Refrigerated (preferred) 28 days
  Ambient  28 days
  Frozen  28 days

Method Name

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK
Clotted Blood Reject

Reference Values

<3.5 mcg/dL

Critical values

Pediatrics (≤15 years): ≥20.0 mcg/dL

Adults (≥16 years): ≥70.0 mcg/dL

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Report Available

1 to 2 days

Specimen Retention Time

14 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

83655

Forms

1. Lead and Heavy Metals Reporting (T491) or Lead and Heavy Metals Reporting-Spanish (T956)

2. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a General Request (T239) with the specimen.

Useful For

Detecting lead toxicity with capillary collections

Profile Information

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
PBBC Lead, Capillary, B No Yes
DEMO7 Patient Demographics No Yes