I had about 3 beers from around 2:30am-4am on Wed the 18th and had a urine 5 panel text this morning Fri at 9:30am. Would this test detect the alcohol I drank? I'm 5'5 and weigh about 120lbs. I'm on probation and really worried since I've been doing so good and not drinking.

I had about 3 beers from around 2:30am-4am on Wed the 18th and had a urine 5 panel text this morning Fri at 9:30am. Would this test detect the alcohol I drank? I'm 5'5 and weigh about 120lbs. I'm on probation and really worried since I've been doing so good and not drinking.

A 5-panel drug screen/test does not check for alcohol. Only the basic illegal drugs. Even if it were tested for, at that time span, the alcohol content of 3 beers would be long gone from urine. 6 hours at most.

A 5-panel drug screen/test does not check for alcohol. Only the basic illegal drugs. Even if it were tested for, at that time span, the alcohol content of 3 beers would be long gone from urine. 6 hours at most.

Thank you so much for your response. I was worried because I even got a buzz from the beers. Also, I've read that a 5 panel urine may test for alcohol and that alcohol can be detected in urine for up to 80 hours after consumption! Do you believe I'm in the clear?

Thank you so much for your response. I was worried because I even got a buzz from the beers. Also, I've read that a 5 panel urine may test for alcohol and that alcohol can be detected in urine for up to 80 hours after consumption! Do you believe I'm in the clear?

You are confusing a host of different tests. A 5-panel always checks for the same 5 types of drugs and not alcohol. The alcohol test is separate if used and usually denoted +ethanol.

A test for ethanol detects nothing but ethanol and is seldom effective beyond 12 hours. In the case of three drinks about 3-4 hours due to cutoff.

The only test that claims to detect alcohol use in the 80 hour range is EtG testing. That is not part of a 5-panel nor of an ethanol assay. A separate test altogether. An EtG test might detect three drinks in the range of 27-36 hours.

What gives you the impression that it was a 5-panel?

You are confusing a host of different tests. A 5-panel always checks for the same 5 types of drugs and not alcohol. The alcohol test is separate if used and usually denoted +ethanol.

A test for ethanol detects nothing but ethanol and is seldom effective beyond 12 hours. In the case of three drinks about 3-4 hours due to cutoff.

The only test that claims to detect alcohol use in the 80 hour range is EtG testing. That is not part of a 5-panel nor of an ethanol assay. A separate test altogether. An EtG test might detect three drinks in the range of 27-36 hours.

What gives you the impression that it was a 5-panel?

That's what the test receipt said. I really appreciate all this info. Thank you.

That's what the test receipt said. I really appreciate all this info. Thank you.

That is a good indication as your receipt is, should be, a copy of the requisition that directs the lab division. So, unless it says + ethanol or EtG then alcohol is not part of the test. Just checking for the 5 basics.

Dr. Bill,

I am confused. My friend got a court order for a drug panel test and alcohol, cost 13.00. No drugs were found in her system at time of arrest or bond. How would she find out the test they use? She drank one beer in 4 months. Now they are saying the test came up dilute 3x! And this may be a violation. She was sick once, drank a ton of water and has been training for a 1/2 marathon and flushing her system to loose weight, as well.

So, how can I help her find out the test used for alcohol test, and 5 panel?

Thank you for all your scientific knowledge.

JL

The 5 panel, as I described above, is always the same. By "x3" I assume you mean that the lab noted the sample as dilute on 3 occasions? That really has nothing to do with the drug panel or alcohol assay. It is a check of creatinine and possibly specific gravity.

A lab will report a urine specimen as dilute in conjunction with a negative drug test when:
1) The creatinine concentration is greater than 5 mg/dL and less than 20 mg/dL and
2) The specific gravity is greater than 1.0010 and less than 1.0030.

For a complete description of how laboratories use creatinine and specifiic gravity to determine sample validity see USDTL Newsletter, January 2011, p. 1. (http://www.usdtl.com/uploads/rte/files/generalnewsletterv2i1_FD_121610.pdf)

Now we are departing my area of expertise but I would assume that if it was court ordered that a copy is in the court file. If she has an attorney they can obtain in a flash. Although I'm not sure what that will accomplish.

Some states also require the lab to provide a copy to the tested subject on request. Most don't but tell me the state involved and I'll check. Of course that requires knowledge of the laboratory that did the test!

It sounds like she had a negative dilute?

Yes, 3 occasions dilute.

I believe and assume she had a negative dilute. She did not see the lab work. They just told her it was dilute.

Is a persons creatinine low if they do not consume animal products and is on a strict weight loss diet?

Thank you , again for your response.