--- title: Lead Test Test type: test id: lead-test url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/lead-test" price_usd: 28.99 lab_fee_usd: 6 all_in_usd: 34.99 cpt: 83655 category: Environmental & Toxins sample: Blood draw fasting_required: false results_in: "3–5 business days" labs: - Quest orderable: true reviewed_at: 2026-09-14 order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=lead-test&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown" --- # Lead Test Test > Measures blood lead levels — important for occupational exposure, older homes, and child safety, measured from a standard blood draw. At TestWell it costs $28.99 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 Quest. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Price | $28.99 + $6 lab processing fee per order ($34.99 all-in for this test alone) | | CPT code | 83655 | | Sample | Blood draw | | Fasting | Not required | | Results | 3–5 business days | | Labs | Quest Diagnostics | | Biomarkers measured | 1 | | Physician authorization | Included — no doctor's visit, referral or insurance needed | | Payment | Card, HSA or FSA; cash-pay only (no insurance billing) | ## What does the Lead Test test tell you? Measures blood lead levels — important for occupational exposure, older homes, and child safety. Blood lead testing measures the amount of lead in your blood. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in the body and cause damage to the brain, kidneys, and nervous system. Exposure sources include lead paint in older homes, contaminated water, certain occupations (construction, battery manufacturing), and imported products. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause health effects. **Clinical use:** Single venous blood lead level. The CDC-recommended definitive lead exposure test — replaces fingerstick capillary lead testing (which has higher false-positive rates). ## Who should order it? Children in older housing (pre-1978 paint), pregnant women, occupational exposure (construction, demolition, shooting range, auto repair), recent immigrants from countries with leaded gasoline, or anyone with cognitive/behavioral concerns from possible exposure. ## Biomarkers measured - [Lead (Blood)](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/lead-blood) ## Price by lab | Lab | Test price | All-in (with $6 fee) | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Quest Diagnostics | $28.99 | $34.99 | Choose at checkout; walk-in patient service centers nationwide (not NY/NJ) | Rhode Island is not served. Prices are identical online and in the lab; no draw fee or physician fee is added. ## How much does a Lead Test test cost? A Lead Test test costs $28.99 at TestWell — $34.99 all-in when ordered alone, because the $6 lab processing fee is charged once per order, with no draw fee or physician fee added. Ordered directly from the labs' own consumer sites, the same test lists at $52.00 at Quest Health (list prices checked Sep 12, 2026). Hospital outpatient labs typically bill around $150.00 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) | $28.99 | $34.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order | | Quest Health (Quest Diagnostics' own site) | $52.00 | $52.00 | [list price checked 2026-09-12](https://www.questhealth.com/product/lead-test/599M.html) | | Hospital outpatient lab, self-pay (typical) | $150.00 | $150.00 | Reference figure; hospital charges vary widely by facility and are often higher | Lab test codes: Quest test code 10251 · Labcorp test no. 007625. ## How do you prepare? No fasting required. Wash hands thoroughly before the blood draw to avoid contamination. ## Related conditions - Lead toxicity (T56.0X1A) - Toxic encephalopathy (G92.9) - Anemia of lead poisoning (D64.89) ## Common questions about the Lead Test test ### What lead level is dangerous? CDC's reference value: 3.5 mcg/dL for children. There is no safe blood lead level — any detectable lead is associated with measurable cognitive impact. >5 mcg/dL warrants intervention; >45 typically requires chelation. ### How much does a lead test cost without insurance? TestWell charges $28.99 — vs $49 at Quest Direct and $80-$200 at pediatric/occupational clinics. ### Do I need to fast? No fasting required. ### What's the CPT code? 83655 (Lead, venous). HSA/FSA eligible. ### How quickly does lead leave the body once exposure stops? Lead has a long bone half-life (~25 years). Blood half-life is much shorter (~30 days) and reflects recent exposure. After removing the source, blood levels drop within weeks but bone stores release lead for decades — which is why chelation is sometimes recommended for very high levels. ## How to order 1. Add to cart: https://www.test-well.com/cart?add=lead-test&utm_source=ai_agent&utm_medium=markdown 2. Create an account or sign in, confirm your state and preferred lab, pay by card, HSA or FSA. 3. A licensed physician authorizes the order (usually within minutes); the requisition arrives by email. 4. Walk into any Quest Diagnostics patient service center — no appointment needed at most sites. 5. Results post to your TestWell portal in 3–5 business days with reference ranges and flags. ## Related - [Environmental Toxins Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/environmental-toxins-panel) — 4 tests · $1049.99 - [Total Body Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/total-body-panel) — 49 tests · $499.99 - [Lead, Blood](https://www.test-well.com/tests/lead-blood) — $29.99 - [Lead, Blood (Adult)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/lead-blood-adult) — $28.99 - [All Environmental & Toxins tests](https://www.test-well.com/tests/category/environmental-toxins) - [Full test directory](https://www.test-well.com/tests/directory) --- Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-14. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/tests/lead-test Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.