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Case Reports
. 1996;34(4):467-9.
doi: 10.3109/15563659609013820.

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

D C Lee  1 , M N Klachko
Affiliations
Case Reports

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

D C Lee et al. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1996.

Abstract

Case report: 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.

Conclusion: 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).

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