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lead in blood

Reference interval: - < 40 ug/dL (1.9 umol/L) Increases: - lead poisoning Clinical significance: - 50% of children in the U.S. still have detectable levels of lead in blood [8] - in Nebraska, Missouri, Michigan, & Iowa, >75% of children have detectable levels of lead in blood - higher lead in blood correlate with poverty, race, & housing Notes: - falsely low blood lead levels reported with Magellan Diagnostics' LeadCareAnalyzers (May 2017) [7] - the tube stoppers contain thiuram that can sometimes release sulfur-containing gases, which may dissolve into the blood sample & bind the lead particles [7]

Related

lead poisoning (plumbism) lead [Pb]

Specific

tetraethyl lead in blood

General

lead in body fluid

References

  1. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998
  2. Lead, Blood (Venous) Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 20098
  3. Panel of 4 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 20584
  4. Lead, Blood (Capillary) Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 20745
  5. Panel of 3 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 25016
  6. Panel of 3 tests Laboratory Test Directory ARUP: 99470
  7. FDA News Release. May 17, 2017 FDA warns Americans about risk of inaccurate results from certain lead tests. CDC recommends retesting for certain children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm558769.htm - Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Potential for Falsely Low Blood Lead Test Results from LeadCareAnalyzers. CDC Health Alert Network. May 17, 2017 https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00403.asp - FDA Statement, March 22, 2018 Statement from FDA's Donald St. Pierre on findings from ongoing investigation into lead testing issues. BD studies find chemical interaction during test processing may contribute to skewing results. https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm602343.htm - FDA Safety Alert. Mrch 23, 2018 BD Vacutainer Blood Collection Tubes by Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD): Class I Recall - Chemical Interference with Certain Tests. BD Vacutainer EDTA Lavender, Tan, and Pink Top Tubes BD Vacutainer Lithium Heparin Green Top Tube. https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm602480.htm
  8. AMA Morning Rounds. September 28, 2021 American Medical Association - Wu LL 'Silent Epidemic' of Lead Poisoning in U.S. Kids Continues. Nationwide study confirms disparities by race, income, housing. MedPage Today September 27, 2021 https://www.medpagetoday.com/pediatrics/generalpediatrics/94730 - Hauptman M, Niles JK, Gudin J et al Individual- and Community-Level Factors Associated With Detectable and Elevated Blood Lead Levels in US Children. Results From a National Clinical Laboratory. JAMA Pediatr. Published online September 27, 2021 PMID: 34570188 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2784260