Ordering Recommendation

Serum test to identify acute alcohol ingestion.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation

For medical purposes only. Timing of specimen collection: Dependent on time of exposure, test upon presentation to hospital.

Collect

Plain Red. Also acceptable: Lavender (EDTA), Pink (K2EDTA), or Gray (Potassium Oxalate/Sodium Fluoride).

Specimen Preparation

Separate from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer 2 mL serum or plasma to an ARUP Standard Transport Tube. (Min: 0.3 mL) Cap tube tightly to minimize alcohol loss. When drawing a blood specimen for alcohol testing, use a nonalcohol-based cleanser at the venipuncture site.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated.

Unacceptable Conditions

Whole blood. Plasma Separator Tubes (PST), Serum Separator Tubes (SST).

Remarks
Stability

After separation from cells: Ambient: 1 week; Refrigerated: 2 week; Frozen: 1 months

Methodology

Quantitative Gas Chromatography

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-3 days

Reference Interval

Effective February 19, 2013

Normal Range Not established. Limit of detection varies based on instrumentation.
Therapeutic Range (Therapy for methanol toxicity): 100-200 mg/dL
Toxic Level Greater than 250 mg/dL

Interpretive Data

Toxic concentrations may cause inebriation, CNS depression, respiratory depression, mental and motor impairment and liver damage. In children, ethanol ingestion may cause hypoglycemia.

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test was performed in a CLIA certified laboratory and is intended for clinical purposes.

Compliance Category

Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

Note

Hotline History

N/A

CPT Codes

80320 (Alt code: G0480)

Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0090120 Ethanol, Serum or Plasma - Medical 14336-2
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • Blood Alcohol Level
  • Ethanol Blood
  • Ethyl Alcohol
  • EtOH
Ethanol, Serum or Plasma - Medical