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Test Code PBB & PBBC Lead, Whole Blood

Important Note

If collection container is capillary, the order will be changed to PBBC.

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Whole Blood

Preferred Specimen:

             For PBB Orders - EDTA Tan Top

             For PBBC Orders - EDTA Lavender Capillary

Other Acceptable Specimen:

             For PBB Orders - EDTA Lavender Top

 

Note For Lavender Tube Collections:  

Samples collected in lavender tubes with results >3.5 ug/dL may be due to contamination from the lavender tube and should be recollected using a tan top tube.

 

 

Note For Capillary Tube Collections:  

Capillary blood collections with results >3.5 ug/dL may be due to contamination from the finger surface and should be confirmed with retesting using venous blood collected in a Tan Top tube.

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

  • Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Samples must be sent room temperature at 15-25oC.

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 
  • Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.

Reference Values

Analyte

Age

Reference Range

Lead, Whole Blood

0-5 years

< 3.5 μg/dL

Lead, Whole Blood

> 5 years

< 5.0 μg/dL

Critical Values

Analyte

Age

Reference Range

Lead, Whole Blood

0-15 years

> 19 μg/dL

Lead, Whole Blood

> 15 years

> 69 μg/dL

CPT Codes

83655

LOINC Codes

77307-7

Volume

Preferred Volume: 4.0 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

2 day

Refrigerated

60 days

Frozen

60 months

 

Note: Freeze and thaw only once

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

 

Clinical Indications

Detecting lead toxicity or exposure. Once per admit unless treating lead toxicity.

Methodology

Agilent ICP-MS

Additional Information

All lead testing results are required by state law to be reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health. In
order to remain compliant with reporting, the test code must match the specimen type collected. All orders will be changed to
the correct order code if collected in a different tube type than what was ordered.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by the UCH Section of Clinical Chemistry.  It has not been approved by the FDA.

The UCH Section of Clinical Chemistry is regulated under CLIA and is qualified to perform high complexity testing.  This test should only be used for clinical purposes and should not be regarded as investigational or for research.

Turnaround Time

 

Routine Turnaround Time: 2 -3 days

Testing Schedule: Tuesday & Friday Only

Synonyms/Keyword Search

PB, Lead

Last Review Date

09/19/24