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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Lead poisoning laboratory findings

Introduction

Overview

Overview

Elevated venous blood lead levels and basophilic stippling of red blood cells on peripheral smear are the the most important and diagnostic laboratory findings in lead poisoning.

Laboratory Findings

Laboratory Findings

  • Laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of lead poisoning include:
    • Basophilic stippling of red blood cells [1]
    • Iron deficiency anemia (microcytosis and hypochromia) [2]
    • Elevated venous blood lead levels
    • K-fluorescent X-ray metering can measure bone-lead.

Shown below is an image depicting basophilic stippling in a blood smear of a patient with lead poisoning.
Basophilic stippling in a blood smear of a patient with lead poisoning

References

References

  1. ↑ Chan NCN, Chan KP (2017). “Coarse basophilic stippling in lead poisoning”. Blood. 129 (24): 3270. doi:10.1182/blood-2017-03-773499. PMID 28620106.
  2. ↑ Hoffmanová I, Kačírková P, Kučerová I, Ševčík R, Sánchez D (2016). “[Lead poisoning. A surprising cause of constipation, abdominal pain and anemia]”. Vnitr Lek. 62 (2): 157–63. PMID 27172444.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aksiniya Stevasarova, M.D.