Biomaterial Database

Falsely elevated lithium levels in plasma samples obtained in lithium containing tubes. 1996

D C Lee, and M N Klachko

Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

METHODS We present a case of lithium poisoning in a 15-month-old child. Delayed elevation of the plasma lithium concentration at 13 hours after admission to a hospital was noted. This appeared to be factitiously related to the collection of samples in a speckled green top tube which contains lithium heparin as an anticoagulant. CONCLUSIONS This type of false elevation has not been reported in the medical literature. A follow-up study in five healthy volunteers showed that the lithium concentrations of plasma samples obtained in speckled green top tubes are increased by approximately 1.5 mEq/L (1.5 mmol/L).

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007223	Infant	A child between 1 and 23 months of age.	Infants
D008094	Lithium	An element in the alkali metals family. It has the atomic symbol Li, atomic number 3, and atomic weight [6.938; 6.997]. Salts of lithium are used in treating BIPOLAR DISORDER.	Lithium-7,Lithium 7
D008297	Male		Males
D009661	Nortriptyline	A metabolite of AMITRIPTYLINE that is also used as an antidepressive agent. Nortriptyline is used in major depression, dysthymia, and atypical depressions.	Desitriptyline,Desmethylamitriptylin,Allegron,Apo-Nortriptyline,Aventyl,Gen-Nortriptyline,Norfenazin,Nortrilen,Nortriptyline Hydrochloride,Novo-Nortriptyline,Nu-Nortriptyline,PMS-Nortriptyline,Pamelor,Paxtibi,ratio-Nortriptyline,Apo Nortriptyline,Gen Nortriptyline,Hydrochloride, Nortriptyline,Novo Nortriptyline,Nu Nortriptyline,PMS Nortriptyline,ratio Nortriptyline
D005189	False Positive Reactions	Positive test results in subjects who do not possess the attribute for which the test is conducted. The labeling of healthy persons as diseased when screening in the detection of disease. (Last, A Dictionary of Epidemiology, 2d ed)	False Positive Reaction,Positive Reaction, False,Positive Reactions, False,Reaction, False Positive,Reactions, False Positive
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328	Adult	A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available.	Adults
D013048	Specimen Handling	Procedures for collecting, preserving, and transporting of specimens sufficiently stable to provide accurate and precise results suitable for clinical interpretation.	Specimen Collection,Collection, Specimen,Collections, Specimen,Handling, Specimen,Handlings, Specimen,Specimen Collections,Specimen Handlings
D016651	Lithium Carbonate	A lithium salt, classified as a mood-stabilizing agent. Lithium ion alters the metabolism of BIOGENIC MONOAMINES in the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, and affects multiple neurotransmission systems.	CP-15,467-61,Dilithium Carbonate,Eskalith,Lithane,Lithium Bicarbonate,Lithobid,Lithonate,Lithotabs,Micalith,NSC-16895,Priadel,Quilinorm-retard,Bicarbonate, Lithium,CP 15,467 61,CP15,46761,Carbonate, Dilithium,Carbonate, Lithium,NSC 16895,NSC16895,Quilinorm retard,Quilinormretard