Understanding the Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) Blood Spot Test to Detect Alcohol Usage
What is PEth Test?
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a chemical compound that is found in the blood of people who drink alcohol. The detection of phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is the blood is the basis of PEth testing that provides information about alcohol use. This is a new testing technique that is becoming increasing popular. The reason is its high sensitivity, i.e. 99%. This high sensitivity makes it far better than all the older tests that were used to confirm alcohol usage. It can be labelled as the most accurate test for the detection of alcohol consumption.
How Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) Blood Spot Test is Used?
This test is performed on a blood sample. The sample collection is very easy as a sample can also be obtained by pricking the finger of the subject. Only 5 milliliters of whole blood are required for the testing purposes. This equals to five big drops of the blood. You can conveniently have your sample collected at Test Smartly Labs.
Once the specimen is tested at the laboratory, it is analyzed by using some advanced automated lab equipment. However, if the results are required later, then the sample can be stored for future use as well. The accurate results are delivered to you within a few days.
Understanding Lab-Based Drug Testing vs. Instant Drug Screening
The process and specifics related to drug screening can be overwhelming and intimidating to even the most seasoned employer, lawyer, law enforcement officer, or civilian. Drug screening is utilized for a variety of reasons, ranging from supporting a loved one in recovery, to court appointed mandate, to safety precautions for a job.
Sometimes you don’t want the hassle of calling a doctor and paying co-pays and deductibles just to see if anything’s wrong. We get it. That’s why we offer a series of lab panels that help you take control of your health and spend your hard-earned dollars wisely. You can request the panel, check out the results, and if anything’s a concern, then you can contact your doctor. This is especially popular for hormone testing, allergy testing, health and fitness testing and testing for certain diseases and conditions.
While you’d like to think “not me… not my employees or my workplace,” this is a dangerous thought. Just take a look:
“Rates of past month heavy alcohol use ranged from 17.5 percent among workers in the mining industry to 4.4 percent among workers in the health care and social assistance industry.” source: SAMHSA study
Mining, construction and food service industries have the highest percentages of workers who claim to heavily drink alcohol.
Teenage Alcohol Testing
Alcohol is the #1 substance most widely used and abused by teenagers. According to the 2016 Monitoring the Future study,
“Six out of every ten students (61%) have consumed alcohol (more than just a few sips) by the end of high school, and about a quarter (23%) have done so by 8th grade. In fact, nearly half (46%) of 12th graders and one in eleven (9%) 8th graders in 2016 reported having been drunk at least once in their life.”
Test Smartly Labs can help you determine if your teen has been drinking alcohol. We offer a variety of options when it comes to alcohol testing. Contact us to learn your options.
What we Need
Be prepared for your drug test!
Bring your Government Issued Picture ID
Bring Drug Test Paperwork or Authorization
Complete TSL Intake Form & HIPAA Disclosure
Pay for your test on site
Make sure you are hydrated if you are performing a Urine Test
Expect to have your nail polish removed if getting a Nail Drug Test
We do not need your prescription information but a Medical Review Officer (MRO) may contact you after collection to verify your medications.
For urine testing, plan on arriving 3 hours before we close (1 hr minimum) to provide a cushion of time for a shy bladder situation.
For hair testing, be sure to dry your hair completely before arriving.
For nail testing, be sure to clean your nails with soap and water before arriving. Also, artificial nails and polish must be removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Your Hours?
All Test Smartly Labs are open Monday through Friday, from 9am - 5pm
The Overland Park Testing Center is also open from 9am – 1pm on Saturdays
Do We Need To Have An Appointment?
No appointment is required to come into our labs, and all of our locations are on a walk-in basis. However, it is recommended you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to closing. If your situation requires special time considerations, please call us to determine if it would be better to arrange an appointment time.
Do I Need Doctors’ Orders For Testing?
No doctors’ orders needed, we are a Direct-Access Testing Center. You are encouraged to consult your medical professional with your lab test results.
What’s The Turnaround Time For Lab Work?
Average turnaround time is 2-5 business days depending on the complexity of the lab work. Most tests are available in 2-3 days.
Do You Need A List Of My Medications For A Drug Test?
Per protocol, the lab techs are not allowed to receive or ask for your medications. A medical review officer or MRO, a licensed physician who specializes in toxicology, will call you and ask for your medications and your physician’s phone number if it’s detected in your sample during testing. The MRO will then call your physician to verify your medications.
Why is Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) Blood Spot Test Used?
As mentioned earlier, this test is done to find out alcohol consumption. There can be various purposes behind it, such as security, medical and legal purposes.
An employer can think of carrying out phosphatidylethanol (PEth) blood spot test of his employees for security reasons. Drinking can affect the judgement and thought process of a person, and they can share confidential information that an employer would not want to happen. PEth testing is also used in court cases where Alcohol usage of any type is strictly prohibited.
This test can be done for medical purposes in case of alcoholics and when trying to figure out underlying cause of a medical condition. In legal scenarios, this test can be used in cases of drunk driving, etc.
Why Choose Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) Blood Spot Test Over Other Alcohol Testing Methods?
As mentioned earlier, this is a highly sensitive and specific test to detect alcohol consumption. Following are the points that make PEth test superior to other available options.
It can discriminate between a heavy drinker and an occasional or social drinker.
PEth can stay stable in dried blood in up to six months. That means this test can be performed as required within six months if the blood sample is dried and stored.
Phosphatidylethanols (PEth) are formed as a result of a chemical reaction between lipids found in the body and alcohol. This is why the concentration of Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct marker of the amount of alcohol intake.
This test has a time detection window of 2 to 3 weeks, so it can be used to monitor abstinence. This detection period can be even longer if the binge session is also longer. Multiple binge sessions can also increase detection time.
The sensitivity and specificity of this test is higher than other tests, such as hepatic markers and CDT testing.
The results of phosphatidylethanol (PEth) blood spot test are not affected by other factors, such as co-morbidities, medications being used, age and previous drinking habits.
Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) blood spot test can also differentiate between an incidental exposure to alcohol and intentional alcohol intake. A person can be incidentally exposed to alcohol when using a hand sanitizer or handling any other alcohol containing product.
Where Can You Get Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) Blood Spot Test Done?
Test Smartly Labs offerw Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) blood spot test to test for Alcohol usage. Test Smartly Labs provides the best alcohol testing services in the industry. Our experts guide you throughout the process to ensure the best quality services.
Walk-in or make an appointment today at Test Smartly Labs…
3917 Broadway Blvd, Suite A
Phone No : 
Opening Hours :
