ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Ethanol, Serum or Plasma - Medical : 0090120

Mnemonic: ETOH

Methodology: Quantitative Gas Chromatography/Enzymatic
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: 1-2 days
Specimen Required: Patient Prep: For medical purposes only. Timing of specimen collection: Dependent on time of exposure - test upon presentation to hospital.

Collect: Plain red or gray (sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate). Also acceptable: Lavender (EDTA) or plasma separator tube.

Specimen Preparation: Do not freeze whole blood. Separate serum or plasma from cells immediately after collection. Immediately transfer 2 mL serum or plasma to a tightly-capped ARUP Standard Transport Tube to minimize alcohol loss. (Min: 0.5 mL) Sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate whole blood may be transported in the original container.

Storage/Transport Temperature: Refrigerated.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing): After separation from cells: Ambient: 4 hours (if tightly capped); Refrigerated: 1 week (if tightly capped); Frozen: Serum or Plasma: 6 months, Whole Blood: Unacceptable
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.
CPT Code(s): 82055
Cross References: Blood Alcohol Level (Ethanol, Serum or Plasma - Medical), Ethanol Blood (Ethanol, Serum or Plasma - Medical), Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol, Serum or Plasma - Medical), EtOH (Ethanol, Serum or Plasma - Medical)