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

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

IMMEDIATELY place tube in ice and delivery to the laboratory.

2 – 5 days upon receipt at reference laboratory

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

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.

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

Quantitative Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry