Lead, Blood Test
A lead, blood test measures the amount of lead present in a blood sample. Lead is a metal that can enter the body from certain environments, and clinicians use this marker to help evaluate the possibility of exposure.
About this test
Lead is a naturally occurring metal that has been used in many products over the years, including some older paints, plumbing, imported goods, and industrial materials. It has no role in normal body function, so measuring it in the blood gives a clinician a way to gauge whether recent contact with a lead source may have occurred.
The test is done with a routine blood draw at a Quest patient service center. A phlebotomist collects a sample from a vein, usually in the arm, and sends it to the laboratory.
Who might consider this test?
- People who look into a lead blood test are often thinking about a possible source of exposure.
- Living or working around older buildings undergoing renovation
- Certain trades and hobbies that involve metals or solder
Test details
| Quest code | 599 |
|---|---|
| Methodology | Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry or Atomic Spectroscopy |
| Sample type | 3 mL whole blood |
| Collection | Quest patient service center |
Reference range
Blood lead levels in the range of 5-9 mcg/dL have been associated with adverse health effects in children aged 6 years and younger. Patient management varies by age and CDC Blood Level Range. Refer to the CDC website regarding Lead Publications/Case Management for recommended interventions.
Reference ranges are general guidance. The range printed on your own laboratory report is the one that applies to your result.
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Additional details
What this test looks at
The test looks at how much lead is circulating in the blood at the time the sample is taken. Because lead is not something the body needs, its presence points toward contact with an outside source rather than a normal internal process. A clinician uses that information alongside where a person lives and works to think about whether an exposure is likely and whether it may be ongoing.
A blood measurement captures a relatively recent window rather than a lifetime total, since lead moves between the blood and other tissues over time. That is one reason a clinician may repeat the test or pair it with a careful history rather than relying on a single snapshot.
How it is often used
Clinicians frequently order a lead blood test when a conversation about the home, workplace, or hobbies raises the question of exposure. It can also be used to follow a situation over time, for example after a known source has been addressed, so a clinician can see how the marker changes. In workplaces where metals are handled, this marker may be part of a broader occupational-health routine managed by an employer's clinician.
Order online and a physician order is included — no doctor's visit and no insurance needed. Your sample is collected at a Quest Diagnostics patient service center.
Laboratory results should always be interpreted by a licensed clinician who knows your health history. This page is information about a test, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does a lead blood test measure?
It measures the amount of lead present in a blood sample. Lead has no role in normal body function, so the result gives a clinician a way to help evaluate whether exposure to a lead source may have occurred.
How is the sample collected?
Through a routine blood draw at a Quest patient service center. A phlebotomist takes a small sample from a vein in the arm and sends it to the laboratory for analysis.
Do I need to prepare for this test?
No preparation instructions are listed for this test, though people follow any instructions their ordering clinician provides. People should follow any instructions their ordering clinician gives, since individual situations and the reason for testing can vary.
Can this test tell me where lead came from?
No. It measures lead in the blood but does not identify a source. A clinician considers a person's home, work, hobbies, and history to think through where exposure might come from.
Should the test be repeated?
That is a decision for a clinician. Because lead levels can change over time, a clinician may suggest repeating the measurement to follow a situation, especially after a possible source has been addressed.
Can I get the Lead, Blood test without a doctor's visit or insurance?
Yes. The $105 cash price includes an independent physician's order, so no referral is needed, and insurance is never involved.