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HelpTest Code VLTS Volatile Screen, Serum
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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
CPT Code Information
G0480
80320 (if appropriate for select payers)
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.
Report Available
1 to 2 daysReject Due To
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
| Gross icterus | OK |
Method 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.