Test Details
Methodology
Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)
Result Turnaround Time
5 - 10 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Use
This test measures blood levels of Phosphatidylethanol (PEth), an alcohol-specific biomarker. PEth may be detectable in blood for approximately 2 to 3 weeks1 following a period of prolonged, regular alcohol consumption or incidents of "binge" or heavy drinking. It is a reliable objective biomarker for validating self-reported consumption and can be used serially to monitor treatment progress over time.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Whole blood
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Container
Lavender-top (EDTA) tube or gray-top (sodium fluoride) tube
Reference Range
PEth levels in excess of 20 ng/mL are considered evidence of moderate to heavy ethanol consumption.
Storage Instructions
Submission/transport (<3 days): Room temperature. For storage beyond three days, specimen should be refrigerated or frozen. Specimen is stable for three days at room temperature, two weeks refrigerated and six months frozen.
Footnotes
1. Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. The Role of Biomarkers in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders. Substance Abuse Treatment Advisory, Volume 5, Issue 4, September 2006.
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 791584 | Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) | 74661-0 | 791931 | PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOL | 76660-0 | |
| 791584 | Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) | 74661-0 | 791583 | Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) | ng/mL | 74661-0 |
| Order Code | 791584 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) | |||||
| Order Loinc | 74661-0 | |||||
| Result Code | 791931 | |||||
| Result Code Name | PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOL | |||||
| UofM | ||||||
| Result LOINC | 76660-0 | |||||
| Order Code | 791584 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) | |||||
| Order Loinc | 74661-0 | |||||
| Result Code | 791583 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) | |||||
| UofM | ng/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 74661-0 |