Lithium

Testing Laboratory

Waitematā | Northshore Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

SLIT

Test Code (Numeric Code)

0167

Laboratory Handling

Registration

"S" barcode required

Sample Stability

7 days

Turnaround Time

2 hours

Specimen Type

• Serum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• SST II (Gold Cap)

Preferred if Waitākere

• SST II (Gold Cap)

Acceptable

• Plain (Red Top)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

4

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• SST(Microtainer)

Acceptable

• Plain(Microtainer)

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.4

Pre-testing Requirements

Collect exactly 12hrs post dose.

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.4

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Middlemore samples are sent to North Shore Hospital Laboratory for Lithium levels by the next routine courier Monday to Friday.
Urgent requests may be sent to North Shore by taxi/courier at other times after approval by the Chemical Pathologist on duty.
Please contact Middlemore Biochemistry Laboratory for Pathologist's contact details.

The specimen should be taken at least 10 hours and preferably between 11.5 and 12.5 hours after the last dose.

For Waitakere specimens if more than 30 minutes delay until next available courier, Contact the requestor and discuss the Urgency of request. Use Taxi or SUB60 if required.

Test Method

Principle: Colorimetric, Endpoint
Reagents: Siemens Atellica CH Lithium
Analyser: Siemens Atellica CH

When levels over 1.5 mmol/L occur, discontinue lithium and assess the patient for toxic symptoms
Patients being maintained at 1.0 mmol/L require close monitoring - toxic effects are relatively common.

Resources

• North Shore Hospital Biochemistry Laboratory Measurement of Uncertainty (MU)

Contact Information