Ethanol, Blood,NIH Units

CPT CODE:

USEFUL FOR:

Detection of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) in blood to document priorconsumption or administration of ethanol.
The blood ethanol level is also useful in diagnosis of alcoholism.

SPECIMEN REQUIRED:

Draw blood in a grey-top tube(s) and send 2.0 mL of oxalate fluoridewhole blood. Must be sent in Vacutainer.

TRANSPORT TEMPERATURE:

Refrig\Ambient\Frozen OK

CLINICAL INFORMATION:

Ethanol is the single most important substance of abuse in the UnitedStates.  It is the active agent in beer, wine, vodka, whiskey, rum, and other liquors.  
Ethanol acts on cerebral functions as a depressant similar to general anesthetics.  This depression causes most of the typical symptoms suchas impaired thought, clouded judgment, and changed behavior.  As the level of alcohol increases, the degree of impairment becomes progressively increased.  
In most jurisdictions in the United States, the level of prima facie evidence of being under the influence of alcohol for purposes of driving a motor vehicle is 0.08 g/dL.

CLINICAL INTERPRETATION:

Quantification of the concentration of ethanol in blood correlatesdirectly with degree of intoxication.
The presence of ethanol in blood at concentrations >0.03g/dL) is generally accepted as a strong indicator of the use of an alcohol-containing beverage.
Blood ethanol levels >0.05 g/dL are frequently associated with a state of increased euphoria.
Blood ethanol level >0.1 gm/dL exceeds many state's legallimit for driving a motor vehicle.  These levels are frequently associated with loss of manual dexterity and with sedation.
A blood alcohol level >or = 0.4 gm/dL may be lethal as normal       respiration may be depressed below the level necessary to maintain life.
A patient who chronically consumes ethanol will develop a toleranceto the drug, and requires higher levels than described above to achieve various states of intoxication.  An individual who can function in a relatively normal manner with a blood ethanol level >0.15 gm/dLis highly likely to have developed a tolerance to the drug achieved by high levels of chronic intake.

REFERENCE VALUES:

Not detected (Positive results are quantified)

Limit of Detection (LOD): 0.01 g/dL

Legal limit of intoxication is 0.08 g/dL

Toxic concentration is dependent upon individual usage history.

Potentially lethal concentration:  > or = 0.4 g/dL