Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

ETOHU
500323
ETX
8769
Interpretation: Legal limit of intoxication in Massachusetts is 80 mg/dL (0.080%). The presence of
ethanol in blood at concentrations >30 mg/dL (>0.03% or 0.03 g/dL) is generally accepted as a strong
indicator of the use of an alcohol-containing beverage. Blood ethanol levels >50 mg/dL (>0.05%) are
frequently associated with a state of increased euphoria. A blood alcohol level > or =400 mg/dL (> or
=0.4) may be lethal as normal respiration may be depressed below the level necessary to maintain life.
The blood ethanol level is also useful in diagnosis of alcoholism. A patient who chronically consumes
ethanol will develop a tolerance to the drug and requires higher levels than described above to achieve
various states of intoxication. An individual who can function in a relatively normal manner with a blood
ethanol level >150 mg/dL (>0.15%) is highly likely to have developed a tolerance to the drug achieved by
high levels of chronic intake.
Reference Values:
None detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Toxic concentration: > or =400 mg/dL
Clinical References: 1. Caplan YH: In Forensic Science Handbook. Vol 1. Edited by R Saferstein.
Englewood Cliffs, Prentice Hall, 1982 2. Goodman and Gilman's: The Pharmacological Basis of
Therapeutics. 7th edition. Edited by TW Rall, F Murad. New York, McMillan Publishing, 1985 3. Porter
WF, Moyer TP: Clinical toxicology. In Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. 4th edition. Edited by CA
Burtis, ER Ashwood. Philadelphia, WB Saunders Company, 1993, pp 1155-1235 4. Principles of Forensic
Toxicology. Edited by B Levine. Washington DC, American Association of Clinical Chemistry, 1999
Ethanol, Urine
Clinical Information: Ethanol is the single most important substance of abuse in the United States. It
is the active agent in beer, wine, vodka, whiskey, rum, and other liquors. Ethanol acts on cerebral
functions as a depressant similar to general anesthetics. This depression causes most of the typical
symptoms of intoxication including impaired thought, clouded judgment, and changed behavior. As the
level of alcohol increases, the degree of impairment becomes progressively increased.
Useful For: Detection and quantitation of prior consumption or administration of ethanol
Interpretation: Individuals who chronically consume ethanol develop a tolerance to the drug, and
require higher levels than described above to achieve various states of intoxication.
Reference Values:
None detected (Positive results are quantitated.)
Cutoff concentration: 10 mg/dL
Clinical References: 1. Caplan YH: In Forensic Science Handbook. Vol 1. Edited by R Saferstein.
Englewood Cliffs, Prentice Hall, 1982 2. Goodman and Gilman's: The Pharmacological Basis of
Therapeutics. 7th edition. Edited by TW Rall, F Murad. New York, McMillan Publishing, 1985 3. Porter
WF, Moyer TP: Clinical toxicology. In Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. 4th edition. Edited by CA
Burtis, ER Ashwood. Philadelphia, WB Saunders Company, 1993, pp 1155-1235 4. Principles of Forensic
Toxicology. Edited by B Levine. Washington DC, American Association of Clinical Chemistry, 1999
Ethosuximide, Serum
Clinical Information: Ethosuximide (Zarontin) is used in the treatment of absence (petit mal)
seizures, although valproic acid and methsuximide are used more frequently for this condition.
Ethosuximide is completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, reaching a peak plasma concentration
in 1 to 7 hours. Approximately 10% to 20% of the drug is excreted unchanged in the urine; the remainder
is metabolized by hepatic microsomal enzymes. The volume of distribution of ethosuximide is 0.7 L/kg,
and its half-life is 40 to 50 hours. Little ethosuximide circulating in the blood is bound to protein.
Ethosuximide produces a barbiturate-like toxicity, characterized by central nervous system and respiratory
depression, nausea, and vomiting when the blood level is > or =101 mcg/mL.
Useful For: Monitoring therapy Determining compliance Assessing toxicity
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