Alcohols Panel (Methanol, Ethanol, Isopropanol, Acetone)

Label Mnemonic:	ALCH
Epic code:	LAB551
Downtime form:	Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery

Chemistry
6240 RCP
356-3527

Specimen(s):

Plasma

Collection Medium:

Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL

Alternate Collection Media:

Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.

Minimum:

3 mL whole blood in light green top tube or TWO Microtainer^® devices

Rejection Criteria:

Medico-legal specimens are not accepted.

Testing Schedule:

This test is not run routinely and requires approval of Clinical Pathology Resident on-call (pager #3724 M-F 08:00-17:00; pager #3404 all other times).

Turn Around Time:

4 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)

Reference Range:

Ethanol intoxication begins in the 50-100 mg/dL range.

Critical Values:
  Methanol 10 mg/dL or greater
  Isopropanol 10 mg/dL or greater
  Ethanol 300 mg/dL or greater

Comments:

This procedure individually quantitates methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and acetone.

References:
(1) Brent J et al.  Fomepizole for the treatment of methanol 
    poisoning. New Engl J Med 344: 424-429, 2001.

(2) Lynd LD et al. An evaluation of the osmole gap as a screening 
    test for toxic alcohol poisoning. BMC Emerg Med 8: 5, 2008. 

(3) Krasowski MD et al.  A retrospective analysis of glycol and toxic
    alcohol ingestion: utility of anion and osmolal gaps.  BMC Clin
    Pathol 12: 1, 2012.

Profile result codes: methanol, ethanol, acetone, isopropanol.

Methodology:

Gas Chromatography

CPT Code:

80320

See also:
Ethanol/Volatiles Screen (EVS), Plasma
Ethylene Glycol Rapid Assay, Plasma
Glycols (Ethylene and Propylene), Plasma

See Additional Information:
Autopsy Service
Osmolality Gap Calculator
Osmolality Gap - Calculation and Interpretation
Chemistry Critical Lab Values