Ordering Recommendations

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

Collection Instructions

DELIVER ON ICE; DO NOT SPIN; WHOLE BLOOD REQUIRED

Collect

Lavender (K2 or K3EDTA), pink (K2EDTA), dark green (lithium heparin), or gray (potassium oxalate).

Specimen Preparation

Transport 1 mL whole blood. (Min: 0.5 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated. Also acceptable: Frozen.

Unacceptable Conditions

Gel separator tubes, plain red, light blue (citrate), or yellow (SPS or ACD solution).

Stability (from collection to initiation)

Ambient: 2 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 month (-20°C)

Referral Lab

Lab Section

Send-out Lab

Performing Lab

ARUP Laboratories

Methodology

Quantitative Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-4 days

Synonyms

  • 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanol
  • 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanol

Reference Interval

Effective September 8, 2020

By Report

Interpretive Data

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a group of phospholipids formed in the presence of ethanol, phospholipase D, and phosphatidylcholine. PEth is known to be a direct alcohol biomarker. 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. PEth is incorporated into the phospholipid membrane of red blood cells and has a general half-life of 4-10 days and a window of detection of 2-4 weeks. However, the window of detection is longer in individuals who chronically or excessively consume alcohol. Serial monitoring of PEth may be helpful in monitoring alcohol abstinence over time. PEth results should be interpreted in the context of the patient's clinical and behavioral history. Patients with advanced liver disease may have falsely elevated PEth concentrations (Nguyen VL, et al, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2018).

CPT Codes

80321 (Alt code: G0480)

LOINC

  • 97606-8
  • 97607-6
  • 11502-2

Order Type (Individual or Group)

G

Group Test Information

Test IdTypeTest Name
POPTHIPEth 16:0/18:1 (POPEth)
PLPTHIPEth 16:0/18:2 (PLPEth)
EERPTIEER PEth
PETHIIPEth INTERPRETATION

CPT Codes

80321 (Alt code: G0480)

LOINC

  • 97606-8
  • 97607-6
  • 11502-2
Specimen Requirements

Ordering Recommendations

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

Collection Instructions

DELIVER ON ICE; DO NOT SPIN; WHOLE BLOOD REQUIRED

Collect

Lavender (K2 or K3EDTA), pink (K2EDTA), dark green (lithium heparin), or gray (potassium oxalate).

Specimen Preparation

Transport 1 mL whole blood. (Min: 0.5 mL)

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated. Also acceptable: Frozen.

Unacceptable Conditions

Gel separator tubes, plain red, light blue (citrate), or yellow (SPS or ACD solution).

Stability (from collection to initiation)

Ambient: 2 hours; Refrigerated: 2 weeks; Frozen: 1 month (-20°C)

Referral Lab

Testing

Lab Section

Send-out Lab

Performing Lab

ARUP Laboratories

Methodology

Quantitative Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-4 days

Synonyms

  • 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanol
  • 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanol
Result Interpretation

Reference Interval

Effective September 8, 2020

By Report

Interpretive Data

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a group of phospholipids formed in the presence of ethanol, phospholipase D, and phosphatidylcholine. PEth is known to be a direct alcohol biomarker. 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. PEth is incorporated into the phospholipid membrane of red blood cells and has a general half-life of 4-10 days and a window of detection of 2-4 weeks. However, the window of detection is longer in individuals who chronically or excessively consume alcohol. Serial monitoring of PEth may be helpful in monitoring alcohol abstinence over time. PEth results should be interpreted in the context of the patient's clinical and behavioral history. Patients with advanced liver disease may have falsely elevated PEth concentrations (Nguyen VL, et al, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2018).

Coding

CPT Codes

80321 (Alt code: G0480)

LOINC

  • 97606-8
  • 97607-6
  • 11502-2
URM Labs Internal
Test Build

Order Type (Individual or Group)

G

Group Test Information

Test IdTypeTest Name
POPTHIPEth 16:0/18:1 (POPEth)
PLPTHIPEth 16:0/18:2 (PLPEth)
EERPTIEER PEth
PETHIIPEth INTERPRETATION

CPT Codes

80321 (Alt code: G0480)

LOINC

  • 97606-8
  • 97607-6
  • 11502-2