Phosphatidylethanol (PEth)
Label Mnemonic: PETH
Epic code: LAB8734
Downtime form: Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery
Commercial Mailout Laboratory
6240-8 RCP
356-8593
Specimen(s):
Whole Blood
Collection Medium:
Lavender top tube 3 mL (EDTA)
Minimum:

Preferred Minimum: 1 mL whole blood in EDTA lavender top tube
Absolute Minimum: 0.5 mL whole blood in EDTA lavender top tube

Rejection Criteria:

Gel separator tubes, Plain Red, light blue (citrate), or yellow (SPS or ACD solution).

Delivery Instructions:

IMMEDIATELY place tube in ice and delivery to the laboratory.

Turn Around Time:

2 – 5 days upon receipt at reference laboratory

Reference Range:

Negative (<10 ng/mL)

 

Cutoff concentrations by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry:

 

PEth 16:0/18:1 (POPEth): 10 ng/mL

PEth 16:0/18:2 (PLPEth): 10 ng/mL

Interpretive Data:

POPEth (1-Palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanol):

 

A result of 20 ng/mL to 200 ng/mL is considered evidence of moderate ethanol consumption, while results over 200 ng/mL indicate heavy ethanol consumption. However, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment advises caution in interpretation and use of biomarkers alone to assess alcohol use. Results should be interpreted in the context of all available clinical and behavioral information.(2)

 

PLPEth (1-Palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanol):

 

There are no current clinical reference limits for this phosphatidylethanol (PEth) homologue.

 

PEth 16:0/18:1 (POPEth)

 

Less than 10 ng/mL: Not detected

 

10-19 ng/mL: Abstinence or light alcohol consumption (<2 drinks per day for several days a week)

 

20-200 ng/mL: Moderate alcohol consumption (up to 4 drinks per day for several days a week)

 

Greater than 200 ng/mL: Heavy alcohol consumption or chronic alcohol use (at least 4 drinks per day several days a week)

 

PEth 16:0/18:2 (PLPEth): Reference ranges are not well established.

Comments:

Ordering Recommendation
Biomarker associated with ethanol consumption; may be helpful in monitoring alcohol abstinence.

Methodology:

Quantitative Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry

CPT Code:
80321
 
See Additional Information:
Specimens Requiring Immediate Delivery