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26573 Phosphatidylethanol Confirmation, Blood (PETH)

Phosphatidylethanol Confirmation, Blood (PETH)
Test Code: PETHCSO
Synonyms/Keywords

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

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

Useful For

​Verifying abstinence or use of ethanol especially in liver transplant candidates/patients

Specimen Requirements
Specimen TypePreferred Container/TubeAcceptable Container/TubeSpecimen VolumeSpecimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​Whole Blood EDTA
​Lavender Top Tube (EDTA)
​1 mL
​0.5 mL
Collection Processing Instructions

​Do not centrifuge. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. 

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen TypeTemperatureTime
​Whole Blood EDTA


​Frozen (preferred)
​28 days
​Refrigerated
​14 days
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing LocationDay(s) Test PerformedReport Available
Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Clinic Laboratories​​​
​Monday through Staurday
​2 to 7 days
​Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reference Lab
Test Information

​Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct biomarker for alcohol (ethanol) intake. In presence of ethanol, phosphatidylcholine is converted to PEth on the red blood cell membrane by the phospholipase D enzyme. PEth homologues (16:0/18:1 [POPEth: 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanol] and 16:0/18:2 [PLPEth: 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanol]) levels correlate with the amount of alcohol consumed within the previous 2 weeks and may be detected in the blood up to 2 to 4 weeks after excessive alcohol consumption. POPEth and PLPEth comprise approximately 60% of all observed PEth homologues in the blood.   ​

Reference Range Information
Performing LocationReference Range
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories
​Negative (<10 ng/mL)

PEth 16:0/18:1 (POPEth): Lower limit of quantification =10 ng/mL
PEth 16:0/18:2 (PLPEth): Lower limit of quantification =10 ng/mL

Interpretation

​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.

Outreach CPTs
CPTModifier
(if needed)
QuantityDescriptionComments
80321​
​1​
Synonyms/Keywords

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

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

Ordering Applications
Ordering ApplicationDescription
​Cerner
​Phosphatidylethanol Confirmation, Blood (PETH)
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen TypePreferred Container/TubeAcceptable Container/TubeSpecimen VolumeSpecimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​Whole Blood EDTA
​Lavender Top Tube (EDTA)
​1 mL
​0.5 mL
Collection Processing

​Do not centrifuge. Send whole blood specimen in original tube. 

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen TypeTemperatureTime
​Whole Blood EDTA


​Frozen (preferred)
​28 days
​Refrigerated
​14 days
Useful For

​Verifying abstinence or use of ethanol especially in liver transplant candidates/patients

Reference Range Information
Performing LocationReference Range
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories
​Negative (<10 ng/mL)

PEth 16:0/18:1 (POPEth): Lower limit of quantification =10 ng/mL
PEth 16:0/18:2 (PLPEth): Lower limit of quantification =10 ng/mL

Interpretation

​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.

For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing LocationDay(s) Test PerformedReport Available
Methodology/Instrumentation
Mayo Clinic Laboratories​​​
​Monday through Staurday
​2 to 7 days
​Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Reference Lab
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPTModifier
(if needed)
QuantityDescriptionComments
80321​
​1​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.