Alcohol Testing

Dried blood spot collection is the fastest, most convenient way to test for phosphatidylethanol (PEth) PEth is an abnormal phospholipid formed in red blood cells following alcohol exposure. PEth in blood exists as a component of the red cell membrane. PEth is a mid to long-term alcohol biomarker, and a positive result (measuring phosphatidylethanol species 16:0/18:1) is an indication of alcohol exposure during the ~2-4 weeks prior to specimen collection.

Research suggests a PEth test can differentiate between incidental exposure (hand sanitizer use, etc.) and the intentional use of ethanol. A PEth test in blood gives up to approximately 2-4 week history of alcohol (ab)use. PEth is considered a direct alcohol biomarker because of the incorporation of the original ethanol moiety. PEth consists of a phosphoethanol head connected to 2 fatty acid moieties which determine the specific isomer. The collection is a dried blood spot collection; one the fastest, most convenient way to test for phosphatidyl ethanol. The PEth is a mid to long-term alcohol biomarker, and a positive result (measuring phosphatidylethanol species 16:0/18:1) is an indication of alcohol exposure during the up to approximately 2-4 weeks prior to specimen collection. The specimen amount is 5 dried blood spots from a finger puncture or 5 ml of blood from a standard blood draw using anticoagulation tube collection.

A number of organizations are currently using PEth including numerous healthcare professional programs, family courts, drug courts, DWI/OWI court programs, and residential treatment centers. This is a helpful testing tool if you are trying to determine alcohol issues and quantifying a history profile of alcohol within the last two to three weeks.