Alcohols, Plasma
Test Mnemonic
ALCOS
CPT Codes
- 80320 - QTY (1)
- G0480 - QTY (1)
Aliases
- Acetone
- Isopropanol
- Methanol
- Volatiles Screen
- Volatiles, Plasma
Includes
- Ethanol
- Methanol
- Isopropanol
- Acetone
Performing Laboratory
Cleveland Clinic Laboratories
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mL | Plasma | Potassium oxalate/sodium fluoride (Gray) | Centrifuge, aliquot and refrigerate. | Separate plasma from cells as soon as possible. Transfer to standard CCL transport tube. Cap tube tightly to minimize alcohol loss. Do not draw plasma separator tubes. |
Alternate Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mL | Plasma | EDTA (Lavender) | Centrifuge, aliquot and refrigerate. | Separate plasma from cells as soon as possible. Transfer to standard CCL transport tube. Cap tube tightly to minimize alcohol loss. Do not draw plasma separator tubes. | |
| 2 mL | Plasma | Lithium heparin (Green) | Centrifuge, aliquot and refrigerate. | Separate plasma from cells as soon as possible. Transfer to standard CCL transport tube. Cap tube tightly to minimize alcohol loss. Do not draw in plasma separator tubes. | |
| 2 mL | Serum | No additive (Red) | Centrifuge, aliquot and refrigerate. | Separate serum from cells as soon as possible. Transfer to standard CCL transport tube. Cap tube tightly to minimize alcohol loss. Do not draw in serum separator tubes. |
Minimum Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mL |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | After separation from cells in a tightly capped tube: 3 days |
| Refrigerated | After separation from cells in a tightly capped tube: 14 days |
| Frozen | After separation from cells in a tightly capped tube: 14 days |
Days Performed
Sun - Sat
Turnaround Time
1 day
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Gas Chromatography |
Special Info
For medical purposes only; not valid for forensic use. 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.
Clinical Info
Use to identify ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, and/or acetone ingestion. Reference ranges are based off of the assay's limit of quantitation (5 mg/dL). Ethanol: Therapy for methanol intoxication: 100-150 mg/dL. [American Academy of Clinical Toxicology Practice Guidelines on the Treatment of Methanol Poisoning. Clinical Toxicology, 2002, 40(4): 415-446.] Monitor exposure to ethanol. Elevated concentrations may cause disorientation, loss of motor functions, CNS depression, vomiting, urine and feces incontinence, coma, and fatality. Toxic concentrations are dependent upon the usage history of the patient. Isopropanol and Acetone: Monitor exposure to isopropanol. Elevated concentrations may cause nausea, dizziness, central nervous system depression and coma. Acetone is a metabolite of isopropanol. Acetone may also be detected during ketoacidosis. Methanol: Monitor exposure to methanol. Elevated concentrations may cause intoxication, metabolic acidosis, ocular toxicity, CNS depression and fatality if patients do not receive medical treatment.