Also known as: Lead Test, Blood Lead Test, Lead Testing, Blood Lead Level (BLL), Lead Poisoning Test
The short answer
A blood lead test that screens for lead exposure or poisoning — the standard lead testing method for adults, measured from a standard blood draw. At TestWell it costs $29.99 plus a $6 lab fee, needs no fasting, and results post in 3–5 business days. Physician-authorized with no doctor's visit or insurance needed; draw at Labcorp.
Hospital Lab
$100
cash pay
Other Labs
$49
+ lab fees
TestWell
$29.99
+ $6 lab fee
Lead is a toxic heavy metal that accumulates in the body over time. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause health problems including high blood pressure, kidney damage, and neurological effects. This test is important for anyone concerned about lead exposure from older homes (lead paint), contaminated water, occupational exposure, or environmental sources.
Measures the blood lead level (BLL) — the standard test for detecting recent or ongoing lead exposure in adults, per CDC and OSHA surveillance guidelines.
Adults living in pre-1978 housing during renovation, anyone with lead pipes or well water concerns, occupational exposure (construction, battery, firing ranges, radiator repair), hobbyists working with solder/stained glass/reloading, and anyone with unexplained fatigue, abdominal pain, or neuropathy plus an exposure history.
Sample Type
Blood draw
Fasting
Not required
Results In
3–5 business days
Performed At
Labcorp
Your Lead, Blood results will include values for each of the 1 biomarker tested, along with reference ranges. Results are reviewed by a licensed physician before being released to your secure portal.
If any values fall outside the normal range, your report will include guidance on what that may mean and recommended next steps. You'll receive an email notification when your results are ready, typically within 3–5 business days.
Typical reference range layout
Lab reports show where your value sits relative to established reference intervals—your physician interprets this in context for you.
No fasting required. No special preparation needed.
The short answer
Worth it if you have a concrete exposure source — a pre-1978 home renovation, regular time at shooting ranges, imported ceramics or spices, well water, or an exposure-prone job. A blood lead test is the standard first step because it directly measures recent exposure, it's cheap ($29.99), and the result is actionable: it tells you whether to fix a source now.
We would rather you order the right test than the most expensive one.
This is a standard venous draw at a Labcorp location - walk in, no appointment or fasting needed. $29.99 self-pay versus $49 consumer rates elsewhere and $100+ through a clinic visit. If ongoing exposure is confirmed, retesting after the source is fixed is usually the follow-up your provider will want.
An at-home draw is not recommended for this test — it needs a lab-based collection to be accurate.
The markers that matter most and what an out-of-range value can mean. Reference ranges vary by lab, age and sex.
| Marker | Typical range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Blood lead level (BLL) | Most adults without exposure: under ~2 µg/dL | There is no 'safe' lead level - lower is always better. Levels a lab flags (commonly 5 µg/dL and up in adults) mean a real exposure source exists and is worth finding and fixing; substantially higher levels warrant prompt medical follow-up and, for workplace exposure, may trigger OSHA-mandated steps through your employer. Labs vary in their flag thresholds - discuss any detectable level alongside your exposure history. |
This section medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD — updated August 2026. General health information, not medical advice; interpret results with a qualified clinician.
A Lead, Blood test costs $29.99 at TestWell — $35.99 all-in when ordered alone, because the $6 lab processing fee is charged once per order, with no draw fee or physician fee added. Hospital outpatient labs typically bill around $100.00 self-pay for the same test, and often more. With insurance, what you pay depends on your deductible and your plan's negotiated rate; TestWell's price is fixed before the draw and is HSA/FSA-eligible.
| Where you order | Price | One test, all-in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TestWell (drawn at Quest or Labcorp) | $29.99 | $35.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order |
| Hospital outpatient lab, self-pay (typical) | $100.00 | $100.00 | Reference figure; hospital charges vary widely by facility and are often higher |
Lab test codes: Labcorp test no. 007625. Competitor prices are read from the linked public pages and re-checked regularly; the labs' sites may add taxes or change prices without notice.
Compare more: Quest Diagnostics price list · Labcorp price list · Quest vs Labcorp · Lab test price checker
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
TestWell Price
$29.99
+ $6 lab processing fee at checkout
No insurance needed · HIPAA compliant
Frequently ordered together
Customers who ordered Lead, Blood also added these for a more complete health picture.
Not sure where to start?
Lead, Blood
$29.99