Lithium, Serum

Department

Core Biochemistry

Delphic Registration Code

LI

Synonyms

Eskalith
LiCO3
Lithicarb
Lithomyl
Priadel

Turnaround Time

3 hours

Test Code

4716

Specimen Type

• Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)

Preferred if West Coast

• Serum (Red Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

4.5

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)

Additional Specimen Information

Take specimens 12 hours after dose.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.15

Transport to Lab

Ambient (8 - 24 degrees Celsius)
If overnight - Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Preferred 0.5 ml

Interpretation

The standard half-life of lithium is 22 hours, with time to steady-state of 5 days.

Reference Intervals

Therapeutic range 0.4 – 1.2 mmol/L

Test Method

Spectrophotometric assay performed on a Beckman Coulter AU5822 analyser

Non-Funded Test Cost

$12.1 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

4716

Contact Information

Enquiry Form