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Test ID ALC Ethanol, Blood


Ordering Guidance


This test is not performed using chain of custody. For chain of custody testing order COCH / Chain-of-Custody Processing.



Specimen Required


Container/Tube:

Preferred: Grey top (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride)

Acceptable: Any anticoagulant

Specimen Volume: 2 mL

Collection Instructions: Specimen must be sent in original tube.


Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen. 

Secondary ID

8264

Useful For

Detection of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) in blood to document prior consumption or administration of ethanol

 

Quantification of the concentration of ethanol in blood correlates directly with degree of intoxication

Method Name

Headspace Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (HSGC-FID)

Reporting Name

Ethanol, B

Specimen Type

Whole Blood NaFl-KOx

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL or amount to fill 1 tube

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Whole Blood NaFl-KOx Refrigerated (preferred) 72 hours
  Frozen  14 days
  Ambient  24 hours

Clinical Information

Ethanol is the single most important substance of abuse in the United States. It is the active agent in beer, wine, vodka, whiskey, rum, and other liquors.

 

Ethanol acts on cerebral functions as a depressant similar to general anesthetics. This depression causes most of the typical symptoms such as impaired thought, clouded judgment, and changed behavior. As the level of alcohol increases, the degree of impairment becomes progressively increased.

 

In most jurisdictions in the United States, the level of prima facie evidence of being under the influence of alcohol for purposes of driving a motor vehicle is 80 mg/dL.

Reference Values

Not detected (Positive results are quantified.)

Limit of detection: 10 mg/dL (0.01 g/dL)

Legal limit of intoxication is 80 mg/dL (0.08 g/dL).

Toxic concentration is dependent upon individual usage history.

Potentially lethal concentration: ≥400 mg/dL (0.4 g/dL)

Cautions

Not intended for use in employment-related testing.

 

Whole blood is required (not serum or plasma).

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

2 to 3 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

80320

G0480 (if appropriate)

NY State Approved

Yes