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HelpTest Code PBB & PBBC Lead, Whole Blood
Specimen and Container/Tube
Specimen Type: Whole Blood
Preferred Specimen:
For LABCHPBB Orders - Royal Blue EDTA Collection Tube
For LABCHPBBC Orders - Lavender EDTA Capillary Tube
Other Acceptable Specimen:
For LABCHPBB Orders - Lavender Top, Tan Top Collection Tube
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 Royal Blue EDTA 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 Royal Blue EDTA tube.
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.
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 |
0-16 years |
< 3.5 μg/dL |
|
Lead, Whole Blood |
≥ 16 years |
< 3.5 μg/dL |
Critical Values
|
Analyte |
Age |
Critical Value |
|
Lead, Whole Blood |
0-16 years |
> 19 μg/dL |
|
Lead, Whole Blood |
≥ 16 years |
> 69 μg/dL |
Turnaround Time
STAT Turnaround Time: Testing is not available STAT
Routine Turnaround Time: 2 -3 days
Testing Schedule: Tuesday & Friday Only
Clinical Indications
Detecting lead toxicity or exposure. Once per admit unless treating lead toxicity.
Methodology
Agilent ICP-MS
CPT Codes
83655
LOINC Codes
77307-7
Synonyms/Keyword Search
PB, Lead
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.
Last Review Date
6/3/25