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Test Code
PETHB
Test Name
Drug Monitor, Phosphatidylethanol, B
CPT Codes
80321
Included Tests
  • PEth 16:0/18:1 (POPEth)
  • PEth 16:0/18:2 (PLPEth)
Expected Turnaround Time
3 - 5 days
Clinical Utility

Alcohol abuse remains a significant public health challenge in the United States. As a long-term, specific and direct biomarker of alcohol consumption, Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a group of phospholipids formed in the presence of ethanol and incorporated into the phospholipid membrane of red blood cells. PEth detection is suggestive of ethanol ingestion over multiple days. PEth is detectable for 1-2 weeks. The predominant PEth homologues are PEth 16:0/18:1 (POPEth) and PEth 16:0/18:2 (PLPEth), which account for 37-46% and 26-28% of the total PEth homologues, respectively.
Specimen and Container Info

Specimen Type: Whole Blood

Collection Container: Lavender Top (EDTA)

Desired Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Collection Instructions
  1. Collect a lavender top (EDTA) tube via venipuncture.
Processing and Submission Instructions
  1. Transport 2 mL of whole blood in the original collection container.
Transport Instructions

Transport to the laboratory refrigerated.
Stability Requirements

Room Temperature

5 days

Refrigerated

30 days

Frozen

30 days
Causes for Rejection
  • Non-whole blood samples
  • Non-EDTA (lavender-top) tube
Methodology
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
Reference Intervals

See patient report.
Alternate Names
  • Drug Monitoring, Phosphatidylethanol (PEth), Blood
  • Alcohol use biomarkers
  • Alcohol Metabolite
Reference Lab
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
Testing Schedule
Routine, daily
The American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published by HNL Lab Medicine are guidelines and are intended for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the exclusive responsibility of the billing entity. View the Terms.
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