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HelpTest ID: VLTS Volatile Screen, Serum
Reporting Name
Volatile Scrn, SUseful For
Detection and quantitation of acetone, methanol, isopropanol, and ethanol in serum
Quantification of the concentration of ethanol in serum correlates with degree of intoxication
Evaluation of toxicity to the measured volatile substances
Specimen Type
SerumAdditional Testing Requirements
If measurement of ethylene glycol is also needed, order ETGL / Ethylene Glycol, Serum in addition to this test.
Specimen Required
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial for serum collected in red-top tubes only.
Specimen Volume: Full tube
Collection Instructions:
1. Do not use alcohol to clean arm. Use alternative such as Betadine to cleanse arm before collecting any specimen for volatile testing.
2. Avoid exposure of specimen to atmosphere.
3. Centrifuge serum gel tubes with 2 hours of collection but do not aliquot.
4. Centrifuge red-top tubes and aliquot serum in plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
| Frozen | 28 days | ||
| Ambient | 24 hours |
Reference Values
Methanol:
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: ≥10 mg/dL
Ethanol:
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: ≥400 mg/dL
Isopropanol:
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: ≥10 mg/dL
Acetone:
Not detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: ≥10 mg/dL
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Saturday
Test Classification
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
80320
G0480 (if appropriate)
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| VLTS | Volatile Scrn, S | 50025-6 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Clinical Information
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 one of the most widely abused legal substances 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.
Interpretation
Methanol:
The presence of methanol indicates exposure that 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 that may result in intoxication, CNS depression, and metabolic acidosis.
Isopropanol:
The presence of isopropanol indicates exposure that 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.
Clinical Reference
1. Langman LJ, Bechtel LK, Holstege CP. Clinical toxicology. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham CD, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023:chap 43
2. Mayfield J, Mihic SJ. Ethanol. In: Brunton LL, Knollmann BC. Goodman and Gilman's: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 13th ed. McGraw-Hill Education; 2022:chap 27
3. Olson KR, Anderson IB, Benowitz NL, et al. Specific Poisons and Drugs: Diagnosis and Treatment. In: Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 8th ed. McGraw-Hill; 2022:section II
Report Available
1 to 2 daysMethod Name
Headspace Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector (HSGC-FID)
Testing Algorithm
This test includes analysis for methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, and acetone.
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.
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