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Test ID VLTS Volatile Screen, Serum

Useful For

Detection and quantitation of acetone, methanol, isopropanol, and ethanol in serum

 

Quantification of the concentration of ethanol in serum correlates with degree of intoxication

 

Evaluation of toxicity to the measured volatile substances

Method Name

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

Includes methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and acetone.

Reporting Name

Volatile Scrn, S

Specimen Type

Serum

Ethylene glycol requires a separate request. See ETGL / Ethylene Glycol, Serum.

 

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

 

Preferred:

Container/Tube: Serum gel

Specimen Volume: Full tube

Collection Instructions:

1. Arm must be cleansed with water only.

2. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere.

3. Do not aliquot.

 

Acceptable:

Container/Tube: Red top

Specimen Volume: Full tube

Collection Instructions: 

1. Arm must be cleansed with water only.

2. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere.

3. Centrifuge specimen within 2 hours of draw and send serum aliquot to laboratory refrigerated.

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 72 hours
  Frozen  14 days
  Ambient  24 hours

Clinical Information

Volatile substances in the blood include ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, and acetone:

-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.

-Methanol and isopropanol are highly toxic; toxicity results from ingestion (exogenous).

-Acetone is generally elevated in metabolic conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis (endogenous). It also is a metabolite of isopropanol.

 

Ethanol acts on cerebral function 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 progressively increases.

 

On average, the serum or plasma concentration of the alcohols is 1.2-fold higher than blood concentration. For example, the serum or plasma would contain approximately 0.10 g/dL of ethanol in a blood specimen that contains 0.08 g/dL ethanol. Due to potential variations in the serum to whole blood ratio, serum should not be used in a medico-legal context. However, in the context of medical/clinical assessment, serum or plasma may be submitted for analysis.

Reference Values

METHANOL

Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)

Toxic concentration: ≥10 mg/dL

 

ETHANOL

Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)

Toxic concentration: ≥400 mg/dL

 

ISOPROPANOL

Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)

Toxic concentration: ≥10 mg/dL

 

ACETONE

Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)

Toxic concentration: ≥10 mg/dL

Cautions

No significant cautionary statements

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday; Varies

Report Available

Same day/1 day

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

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

CPT Code Information

80320

G0480 (if appropriate)

NY State Approved

Yes