Test Id : THCU
Delta-8 and Delta-9-Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Confirmation, Random, Urine
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Detection and confirmation of drug use of cannabis/marijuana and to specifically identify and quantify delta-8-carboxy tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) and delta-9-THC-COOH
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Cannabinoids (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
J (Jane) (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
Jane (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
Marijuana (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
Mary Jane (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Confirmation, Quantitative, Urine
TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL, QN
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing
Urine
Ordering Guidance
For situations where chain of custody is required, a Chain-of-Custody Kit (T282) is available. For chain-of-custody testing, order THCX / Delta-8 and Delta-9-Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Confirmation, Chain of Custody, Random, Urine
Additional drug panels and specific requests are available. Call 800-533-1710 or 507-266-5700.
Additional Testing Requirements
If urine creatinine is required or adulteration of the sample is suspected, order, ADULT / Adulterants Survey, Random, Urine.
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container Tube: Plastic urine container
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect a random urine specimen.
2. No preservative.
Additional Information:
1. No specimen substitutions.
2. STAT requests are not accepted for this test.
Special Instructions
Library of PDFs including pertinent information and forms related to the test
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:
-General Request (T239)
-Therapeutics Test Request (T831)
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.
0.5 mL
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross icterus | Reject |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
| Ambient | 72 hours | ||
| Frozen | 14 days |
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Detection and confirmation of drug use of cannabis/marijuana and to specifically identify and quantify delta-8-carboxy tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) and delta-9-THC-COOH
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
There are over 100 different cannabinoids in cannabis/marijuana. The main psychoactive cannabinoid is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC), which is the active agent of the popularly abused street drug, cannabis/marijuana. Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC) is another psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant, of which cannabis/marijuana and hemp are 2 varieties. Delta-8 THC is one of over 100 cannabinoids produced naturally by the cannabis plant but is not typically found in significant amounts in the plant itself. As a result, concentrated amounts of delta-8 THC are typically manufactured from hemp-derived cannabidiol.
Following consumption of cannabis/marijuana, delta-9-THC metabolizes to a variety of inactive products, one of them being the carboxy metabolite (delta-9-THC-COOH). In almost all medico-legal cases or when the patient adamantly denies cannabis/marijuana use and the immunoassay test is positive, confirmation of the result by a definitive test is required. This test is a definitive, confirmatory test using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to identify and quantify delta-8-THC-COOH and delta-9 THC-COOH.
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Not Detected (Positive results are reported with a quantitative result.)
Cutoff concentration by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry:
Delta-8-Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): 5.0 ng/mL
Delta-9-Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): 5.0 ng/mL
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
The presence of delta-8 and/or delta-9 carboxy tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) in urine is a strong indicator that the patient has used cannabis/marijuana.
THC-COOH has a long half-life and can be detected in urine for more than 7 days after a single use.
Chronic use causes accumulation of THC and THC-COOH in adipose tissue, such that it is excreted into the urine for as long as 30 to 60 days from the time chronic use is halted.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
No significant cautionary statements
Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Baselt RC. Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man. 12th ed. Biomedical Publications; 2020
2. Langman LJ, Bechtel LK, Holstege CP. Clinical toxicology. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham CAD, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023:chap 43
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Carboxy tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) is extracted from urine by making the urine alkaline to hydrolyze THC-COOH glucuronide. The hydrolyzed samples are diluted for analysis by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry using selected ion monitoring.(Unpublished Mayo method)
PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information
Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test
Fees :
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.
- Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
- Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.
| Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| THCU | Carboxy-THC Confirmation, U | 20521-1 |
| Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
|---|---|---|
| 2497 | Delta-9 Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol by LC-MS/MS | 20521-1 |
| 21186 | Carboxy-THC Interpretation | 69050-3 |
| 618770 | Delta-8 Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol by LC-MS/MS | 20521-1 |