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Quantification of phosphatidylethanol in EDTA whole blood by LC MS/MS.
Lavender EDTA tube
Allow tube to fill completely. Invert tube 5 to 10 times immediately after filling to prevent clotting.
Refrigerated
Room Temperature: 2 hours
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 30 days
Set Up: Tuesday and Friday
Report Available: 3-5 days
Northwestern Medicine Hospital Lab; Special Chemistry department
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct biomarker of alcohol consumption. PEth is incorporated into the cell membrane of red blood cells following periods of significant alcohol consumption. It has a window of detection of 2-6 weeks. Greater quantities of alcohol consumption typically result in higher concentrations of PEth and prolonged windows of detection. PEth demonstrated a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 96% in detecting ethanol ingestion within a four week window during a prospective study of a transplant patient population (Andresen-Streichert et al 2017, Transplant International).
Updated: 11/28/2022
Not detected: <20 ng/mL
Moderate alcohol consumption: 20 - 200 ng/mL
Heavy alcohol consumption: >200 ng/mL
(Reference: W. Ulwelling and K Smith 2018 J. Forensic Sci)
The CPT codes included in this publication are in accordance with Current Procedural Terminology, a publication of the American Medical Association. CPT codes are provided here for the convenience of our clients; however, correct coding often varies from one carrier to another, and HealthLab may bill specific carriers using codes other than those shown. Clients who bill for services should verify the code(s) with the applicable payor to confirm that their use is appropriate in each case.
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