Test Details

• Discipline:

  Biochemistry

  Biochemistry

• Specimen Container Adult:

  Serum-SST

  Serum-SST

• Specimen Container Paediatric:

  Serum-Plain tube

  Serum-Plain tube

• Minimum Volume Adult:

  1 mL blood

  1 mL blood

• Minimum Volume Paediatric:

  0.5 mL blood

  0.5 mL blood

• Sample Stability:

  Unseparated sample: Same day

  Separated sample:
  at +15° to +25°C 2 days
  at +2° to +8°C 2 weeks 
  at -15° to -25°C 4 weeks

  Unseparated sample: Same day

  Separated sample:
  at +15° to +25°C 2 days
  at +2° to +8°C 2 weeks 
  at -15° to -25°C 4 weeks

• Interpretation:

  The test results should be interpreted in light of clinical signs and symptoms.
  About 95% of alcohol is metabolised in the liver and the remainder is excreted unchanged.
  The rate of alcohol metabo...

  The test results should be interpreted in light of clinical signs and symptoms.
  About 95% of alcohol is metabolised in the liver and the remainder is excreted unchanged.
  The rate of alcohol metabolism and excretion vary among individuals and are dependent upon factors such as gender, age, body weight, stomach content, use of medication and health condition.
  Alcohol intoxication can lead to birth defects for pregnant women, loss of alertness, stupor, coma and death.

  Read More

• Reference Ranges:

  Not detected (in abstaining subjects)
  Guidance level: legal limit for driving is 800 mg/L

  Not detected (in abstaining subjects)
  Guidance level: legal limit for driving is 800 mg/L

• Factors Affecting Result:

  Do not use alcohol or other volatile disinfectants at the site of venipuncture.

  Not suitable for analysis of post-mortem samples.

  Do not use alcohol or other volatile disinfectants at the site of venipuncture.

  Not suitable for analysis of post-mortem samples.

• Other Info:

  Plasma- Lithium Heparin and Flouride Oxalate also acceptable

  Plasma- Lithium Heparin and Flouride Oxalate also acceptable

• Routine Contact Name:

  Duty Biochemist

• Routine Telephone:

  Freeman: 0191 244 8889
  RVI: 0191 282 9719

  Freeman: 0191 244 8889
  RVI: 0191 282 9719

• Routine Email:

  nuth.dutybiochemist@nhs.net