Ethyl Alcohol (ALC) |
EPIC Test Name
ETHYL ALCOHOL LEVELEPIC Code
LAB2507Specimen Requirements
plasma | |
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Minimum Volume: | 0.5 mL |
Collection: | Collect using standard laboratory procedures |
Transport: | Room Temperature ASAP |
Stability: | Room Temperature: 2 days capped at 15-25 degrees C Refrigerated: 2 weeks capped at 2-8 degrees C Frozen: 4 weeks capped at -20 degrees C Avoid repeat freezing and thawing |
Container: | LIT-GRN |
Rejection Causes: | Insufficent Sample Volume |
Notes: | Do not use an alcohol pad or other volatile disinfectants to cleans the area when drawing specimen. Use only aqueous disinfectants. |
Methods
Enzymatic assay using alcohol dehydrogenaseTurnaround Time
Specimen | Turnaround Time | Frequency |
---|---|---|
plasma | Stat: 90 minutes Routine: 4 hours | 24/7 |
Reference Ranges
Enzymatic assay using alcohol dehydrogenase
All Range | Unit | Critical Values |
---|---|---|
Negative | g/dL | >0.40 |
Clinical Indications
Ethanol is the most widely used and commonly abused substance. Ethanol effects on CNS vary depending on the blood ethanol concentration and an individual’s tolerance level. A blood alcohol concentration of 80â¯mg/dL (0.08%) or less has been established as the statutory limit for operation of a motor vehicle in the USA and most other countries.Symptoms ethanol effects vary from euphoria, to disorientation and incoordination, and then even to coma and death. When consumed with other CNS depressant drugs (e.g., sedative, hypnotic, and anesthetic agents, including barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and volatile anesthetics), ethanol has a potentiation or synergistic depressant effect even at relatively low alcohol concentrations. Deaths may be resulted from combined ethanol and drug ingestion.
Abrupt withdrawal from chronic and heavy ethanol use may lead to a physical abstinence syndrome, featuring with CNS excitation, e.g., anxiety, irritability, insomnia, muscle tremor and cramps, hallucinations, and increased temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and seizures. This syndrome can be fatal if not monitored properly and treated promptly.
Ethanol is metabolized mainly by a liver enzyme (alcohol dehydrogenase, ADH) to acetaldehyde, which is subsequently oxidized to acetic acid by aldehyde dehydrogenase. The ethanol is eliminated from blood, though with significant variation individually, similar to Aspirin, follows zero-order kinetics, or in the enzyme saturation status. Average elimination rate is about 15â¯mg/dL (3.2â¯mmol/L) per hour for males and 18â¯mg/dL (3.9â¯mmol/L) per hour for females. At both low (<20â¯mg/dL, <4.3â¯mmol/L) and high (>300â¯mg/dL, <65.1â¯mmol/L) ethanol concentrations, elimination however more closely resembles first-order kinetics.
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) to the baby (http://www.nofas.org). The effects can be on baby’s physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. FASD is 100% preventable when a woman completely abstains from alcohol during her pregnancy.
Additional Information
Do not use alcohol or other volatile disinfectants at the site of venipuncture. Aqueous Zephiran (benzalkonium chloride), aqueous Merthiolate (thimerosal), or povidone-iodine may be used.Common Synonyms
Blood AlcoholPerformed
Lab |
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Chemistry - Community |
Chemistry - Downtown |
Interpretative Information
The positive results suggests ethanol exposure which may result in intoxication, CNS depression, and metabolic acidosis.CPT
80320LOINC
5643-2References
1. Weathermon R, Crabb DW. Alcohol and medication interactions. Alcohol Res Health. 1999;23(1):40-54. PMID: 10890797; PMCID: PMC6761694.2. Newman RK, Stobart Gallagher MA, Gomez AE. Alcohol Withdrawal. [Updated 2021 Sep 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441882/
3. Dubowski KM: Absorption, distribution and elimination of alcohol: highway safety aspects. J Stud Alcohol. 10:98-108 1985
4. Dubowski KM: Human pharmacokinetics of alcohol. Alcohol Tech Rep. 1976 55-63
5. Wagner JG, Wilkinson PK, Sedman AJ, et al.: Elimination of alcohol from human blood. J Pharm Sci. 65:152-154 1976 1255425
6. Bogusz M, Pach J, Stasko W: Comparative studies on the rate of ethanol elimination in acute poisoning and in controlled conditions. J Forensic Sci. 22:446-451 1977 618161
7. Dubowski KM. Alcohol determination in the clinical laboratory. Am J Clin Pathol. 1980 Nov;74(5):747-50. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/74.5.747. PMID: 7446484.
Contact Information
Chemistry - Downtown: (315)464-4460Chemistry - Community: (315)492-5531