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Alcohol, Ethyl
MessagePerforming Lab: Hudson, Lakeview, Regions, Westfields
Test Code
0416
Alias/See Also
Sunquest: ETOH; Blood Alcohol, Ethanol, Diagnostic Blood Alcohol
CPT Codes
G0479
Preferred Specimen
0.2 mL Lithium Heparin Plasma (light green-top) tube
Minimum Volume
0.1 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Serum separator (gold-top), Lithium Heparin (light green-top) on ICE, Red, Red/Gray, Fluoride Oxalate Plasma (gray-top)
Instructions
Collection:
Do not cleanse the sample draw site with alchohol or other volatile disinfectants.
Do not cleanse the sample draw site with alchohol or other volatile disinfectants.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Room Temperature: 2 days
Refrigerated: 2 weeks
Frozen: 1 month
Refrigerated: 2 weeks
Frozen: 1 month
Methodology
Colorimetric or Enzymatic (Lakeview)
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Same day.
Limitations
Postmortem or immediately antimortem specimens may produce false positive results because of extremly high levels of Lactate Dehydrogenase and Lactate. Positive results on these specimens should be confirmed by gas chromatography (GC).
Reference Range
<0.01 g/dL
Clinical Significance
Ethanol is the most commonly encountered toxic substance. The measurement of ethanol is used in the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol intoxication and poisoning. Chronic ethanol use has been linked to liver disease, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, and birth defects. Acute ethanol intoxication can result in coma and death.
