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Test ID THCCU Delta-9-Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol Confirmation and Creatinine Ratio, Random, Urine


Specimen Required


Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see THCCR / Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) Confirmation and Creatinine Ratio, Random, Urine

 

Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container Tube: Plastic urine container

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 5-mL tube

Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect a random urine specimen.

2. No preservative.

Additional Information:

1. No specimen substitutions.

2. STAT requests are not accepted for this test.


Secondary ID

616334

Useful For

Measuring the delta-9 carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC-COOH) to creatinine ratio as a part of a profile

Method Name

Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see THCCR / Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) Confirmation and Creatinine Ratio, Random, Urine

 

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Reporting Name

THC-COOH/Creatinine Ratio, U

Specimen Type

Urine

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  14 days
  Ambient  72 hours

Clinical Information

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active agent of the popularly abused/used drug, cannabis/marijuana.

 

Following consumption of the drug, either by inhalation or ingestion, it is metabolized to a variety of inactive chemicals, one of them being delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (delta-9-THC-COOH).

 

For confirmation of abstinence, urine analysis is a useful tool. The presence of delta-9-THC-COOH is a strong indicator that a patient has used cannabis/marijuana. However, increases in urine delta-9-THC-COOH concentrations resulting from changes in urinary output may be mistakenly interpreted as new drug use rather than carryover from previous drug exposure. Individuals continue to excrete THC-COOH for days after abstinence, and although concentrations generally decrease with time, the concentrations can fluctuate with levels of hydration. As a result, the division of urinary delta-9-THC-COOH concentrations by creatinine produces a metabolite/creatinine ratio that should decrease until a new episode of drug use occurs. Delta-9-THC-COOH /creatinine ratios of specimens collected over time can be compared to determine if new cannabis/marijuana use has occurred.

Reference Values

Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see THCCR / Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) Confirmation and Creatinine Ratio, Random, Urine

 

Not detected

 

Cutoff concentration:

DELTA-9 CARBOXY-TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS): < 5.0 ng/mL

Cautions

No significant cautionary statements

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

3 to 5 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

80349

G0480, if appropriate

NY State Approved

Yes