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Alcohol, ethyl (blood)
MessageLaboratory staff does not collect legal blood alcohol specimens.
Test Code
ALCO
Alias/See Also
Ethyl Alcohol, ETOH, ALC, Blood alcohol, Ethanol, Alcohol level
Preferred Specimen
1.0 mL plasma (lithium heparin). Minimum is 0.5 mL. Serum is also acceptable
Instructions
Use non-alcohol germicidal solution to cleanse the skin.
Transport Container
PST (mint green top tube). No additive (red-top) and SST are acceptable
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 8 hours, Refrigerated: 24 hours
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Fibrin, red cells and gross hemolysis.
Reference Range
<5 mg/dL
Clinical Significance
Ethanol (ethyl alcohol, alcohol) is the most common toxic substance encountered. Ethanol’s deleterious effects have been linked with birth defects (fetal alcohol syndrome), cardiac conditions, high blood pressure, liver disease and mental deterioration.
The rate of ethanol absorption is dependent on the emptying time of the stomach. Since ethanol distributes evenly throughout the body water, its concentration in blood following a known dose may be estimated indirectly by measuring concentrations in serum, plasma or urine. Ethanol is rapidly metabolized so that a moderate dose will clear from the blood in approximately one hour.
The rate of ethanol absorption is dependent on the emptying time of the stomach. Since ethanol distributes evenly throughout the body water, its concentration in blood following a known dose may be estimated indirectly by measuring concentrations in serum, plasma or urine. Ethanol is rapidly metabolized so that a moderate dose will clear from the blood in approximately one hour.
