Test Catalog

Test Id : ALC

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Ethanol, Blood

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Overview

Test Catalog

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

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

 

This test is not intended for use in employment-related testing.

Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test

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

NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.

Yes

Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test

Ethanol, B

Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching

Alcohol

Ethanol

Ethyl Alcohol

ETOH (Ethanol)

Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing

Whole Blood NaFl-KOx

Ordering Guidance

This test is not performed using chain of custody. For chain of custody testing order ALCX / Ethanol, Chain-of-Custody, Blood.

Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Gray top (potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride)

Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA) or green top (sodium heparin)

Specimen Volume: 2 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Do not use alcohol to clean arm. Use an alternative, such as Betadine, to cleanse arm before collecting any specimen for volatile testing.

2. Specimen must be sent in original tube. Do not aliquot.

Forms

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

Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.

0.5 mL or amount to fill 1 tube

Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected

Gross lipemia Reject
Gross icterus OK

Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Whole Blood NaFl-KOx Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
Frozen 28 days
Ambient 24 hours

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

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

 

This test is not intended for use in employment-related testing.

Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Ethanol is one of the most widely abused legal substances 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 (0.08% in whole blood).

Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

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: > or =400 mg/dL (0.4 g/dL)

Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

The presence of ethanol in blood at concentrations above 30 mg/dL (>0.03% or g/dL) is generally accepted as a strong indicator of the use of an alcohol-containing beverage.

 

Blood ethanol levels above 50 mg/dL (>0.05%) are frequently associated with a state of increased euphoria.

 

Blood ethanol level above 80 mg/dL (>0.08%) exceeds Minnesota's legal limit for driving a motor vehicle. These levels are frequently associated with loss of manual dexterity and with sedation.

 

A blood alcohol level of 400 mg/dL (> or =0.4%) or higher may be lethal as normal respiration may be depressed below the level necessary to maintain life.

 

The blood ethanol level is also useful in diagnosis of alcoholism. A patient who chronically consumes ethanol will develop a tolerance to the drug and requires higher levels than described above to achieve various states of intoxication. An individual who can function in a relatively normal manner with a blood ethanol level above 150 mg/dL (>0.15%) is highly likely to have developed a tolerance to the drug achieved by high levels of chronic intake.

Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Whole blood is required (not serum or plasma).

Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature

Langman LJ, Bechtel LK, Holstege CP. Clinical toxicology. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham CAD, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023:454

Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

Specimens are analyzed and quantitated using headspace gas chromatography with flame ionization detection.(Baselt RC. Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man. 10th ed. Biomedical Publications; 2014:2211)

PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information

No

Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.

Monday through Saturday

Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.

1 to 2 days

Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

2 weeks

Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester

Fees
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.

  • Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
  • Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.

Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.

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
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.

CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.

80320

G0480 (if appropriate)

LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.

Test Id Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
ALC Ethanol, B 56478-1
Result Id Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
30908 Ethanol, B 56478-1

Test Setup Resources

Setup Files
Test setup information contains test file definition details to support order and result interfacing between Mayo Clinic Laboratories and your Laboratory Information System.

Excel | Pdf

Sample Reports
Normal and Abnormal sample reports are provided as references for report appearance.

Normal Reports | Abnormal Reports

SI Sample Reports
International System (SI) of Unit reports are provided for a limited number of tests. These reports are intended for international account use and are only available through MayoLINK accounts that have been defined to receive them.

SI Normal Reports | SI Abnormal Reports

Test Update Resources

Change Type Effective Date
Test Changes - Specimen Information 2024-04-04