Test Details
Methodology
Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)
Result Turnaround Time
5 - 10 days
Use
Measures blood levels of phosphatidylethanol, an alcohol-specific biomarker
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Whole blood
Volume
1 mL
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Container
Lavender-top (EDTA) tube or gray-top (sodium fluoride) tube
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, for two weeks refrigerated, and for six months frozen.
Reference Range
PEth levels in excess of 20 ng/mL are considered evidence of moderate to heavy ethanol consumption.