Detection and quantitation of acetone, methanol, isopropanol, and
Quantification of the concentration of ethanol in serum
Evaluation of toxicity to the measured volatile substances
This test includes analysis for methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and acetone.
Headspace Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (HSGC-FID)
Acetone
Alcohol
Ethanol
Ethyl Alcohol
ETOH (Ethanol)
Isopropanol
Methanol
This test includes analysis for methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and acetone.
Serum
If measurement of ethylene glycol is also needed, order ETGL / Ethylene Glycol, Serum in addition to this test.
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: Full tube
Collection Instructions:
1. Patient arm must be cleansed with water only.
2. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere.
3. Do not aliquot serum gel tubes.
4. Centrifuge red-top tubes and aliquot serum in plastic vial within 2 hours of collection. Send serum aliquot refrigerated.
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.
0.5 mL
Gross hemolysis | OK |
Gross lipemia | OK |
Gross icterus | OK |
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
Frozen | 28 days | ||
Ambient | 24 hours |
Detection and quantitation of acetone, methanol, isopropanol, and
Quantification of the concentration of ethanol in serum
Evaluation of toxicity to the measured volatile substances
This test includes analysis for methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and acetone.
Volatile substances in the blood include ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, and acetone. Methanol and isopropanol are highly toxic; toxicity results from ingestion (exogenous). Acetone is generally elevated in metabolic conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis (endogenous). It also is a metabolite of isopropanol.
Ethanol is the single most important substance of abuse in the United States. It is the active agent in beer, wine, vodka, whiskey, rum, and other liquors. Ethanol acts on cerebral function as a depressant similar to general anesthetics. This depression causes most of the typical symptoms such as impaired thought, clouded judgment, and changed behavior. As the level of alcohol increases, the degree of impairment progressively increases.
On average, the serum or plasma concentration of the alcohols is 1.2-fold higher than blood concentration. For example, the serum or plasma would contain approximately 0.10 g/dL of ethanol in a blood specimen that contains 0.08 g/dL ethanol. Due to potential variations in the serum to whole blood ratio, serum should not be used in a medico-legal context. However, in the context of medical/clinical assessment, serum or plasma may be submitted for analysis.
METHANOL
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: > or =10 mg/dL
ETHANOL
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: > or =400 mg/dL
ISOPROPANOL
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: > or =10 mg/dL
ACETONE
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: > or =10 mg/dL
Methanol:
The presence of methanol indicates exposure which may result in intoxication, central nervous system (CNS) depression, and metabolic acidosis. Ingestion of methanol can be fatal if patients do not receive immediate medical treatment.
Ethanol:
The presence of ethanol indicates exposure which may result in intoxication, CNS depression, and metabolic acidosis.
Isopropanol:
The presence of isopropanol indicates exposure which may result in intoxication and CNS depression. Ingestion of isopropanol can be fatal if patients do not receive immediate medical treatment.
Acetone:
The presence of acetone may indicate exposure to acetone; it is also a metabolite of isopropanol and may be detected during ketoacidosis.
No significant cautionary statements
1. Langman LJ, Bechtel LK, Meier BM, Holstege C. Chapter 41: Clinical Toxicology. In: Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. Edited by N Rifai, AR Horvath, CT Wittwer. Sixth edition. Elsevier; 2018. pp. 832-87
2. Mihic SJ, Koob GF, Mayfield J, Harris RA. Ethanol. In: Goodman & Gilman's: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 13th edition. Edited by LL Brunton, R Hilal-Dandan, BC Knollmann. McGraw-Hill Education; 2017
3. Olson KR, Anderson IB, Benowitz NL, et al: Specific Poisons and Drugs: Diagnosis and Treatment. In Poisoning and Drug Overdose, Seventh edition. McGraw-Hill Education; 2017
Specimens are analyzed and quantified by headspace gas chromatography- flame ionization detection.(Baselt RC: Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man, 10th edition, Biomedical Publications; 2014. pp 2211)
Monday through Saturday
This test was developed, and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
80320
G0480 (if appropriate)
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
VLTS | Volatile Scrn, S | 50025-6 |
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.
|
---|---|---|
8632 | Volatile Scrn, S | 32044-0 |
30917 | Methanol, S | 5693-7 |
30918 | Ethanol, S | 5643-2 |
30919 | Acetone, S | 5568-1 |
30920 | Isopropanol, S | 5669-7 |
34376 | Chain of Custody | 77202-0 |