Skip to main content

Blood Lead

Get in Touch

Get in Touch

Email
Phone
512-776-7318
Fax
512-776-7294

Specimen Receiving
Monday-Friday, 8 am - 5 pm
Phone: 512-776-7598

Central Campus Map (PDF)

Blood Lead

Laboratory Fee Schedule
Procedure: BZZ0023A
CPT: 83655

Synonym(s):

Blood Lead screening, Pb

Requisition Form

G-1B, G-THSTEPS

Test Description

The measurement of lead is used to detect lead exposure in whole blood specimens.

Pre-Approval Needed

N/A

Supplemental Information Required

N/A

Supplemental Form(s)

N/A

Performed on Specimens from (sources)

Human

Sample/Specimen Type for Testing

  • Preferred: Whole blood in (BD) K2 EDTA lavender top vacuum tube (venous).

  • Acceptable: Whole blood in (BD MAP) K2 EDTA lavender top tube (capillary for automation).

Minimum Volume/Size Required

Fill to manufacturer’s stated fill volume.

Minimum of 1 mL in a 2 mL vacuum tube or 375µL minimum in a 500µL capillary for automation tube.

Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping

  • Invert lavender top tubes at least 10 times immediately after collection to avoid clotting.

  • Store at ambient or refrigerated temperature.

  • Do not freeze.

  • Avoid high temperature environments.

Transport Medium

N/A

Specimen Labeling

  • Two patient-specific identifiers required (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, Medical record number

  • Identifiers on specimen must exactly match submission form.

Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements

  • Specimens may be shipped at ambient or refrigerated temperature.

  • Specimens must be received by the laboratory within 14 days from collection.  

  • Do not freeze specimens.

  • Handle as infectious agent using universal precautions.

  • Ship according to Dangerous Good Regulations, IATA, and/or CFR 49.

  • Ship triple-contained in accordance with federal shipping regulations for infectious agents. 

Method

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Turn-around Time

4-5 working days after receipt of specimen.

Interferences/Limitations

Clotting

Common Causes for Rejection

  • Specimen is clotted. 

  • Two patient-specific identifiers not met.

  • Specimen is collected in an expired blood collection tube. 

  • Specimen is not mailed or shipped in a timely or proper manner. 

  • Demographic information is missing or incorrect. 

  • Specimen identification is missing or incorrect.

  • Specimen tube broken/leaked in transit.  

  • Submission form not included with specimen.

  • No specimen included with submission form. 

  • Specimen identification illegible

  • Incorrect blood collection tube used. 

  • Specimen volume is insufficient.

Additional Information

Reference Range:

< 3.5 µg/dL

Contact: