This question is for Dr. Bill or anyone who can provide any info for that matter.

I was wondering if there are any tests out there that are used to detect alcohol usage via proteins, metabolites or something else in the blood.

This question is for Dr. Bill or anyone who can provide any info for that matter.

I was wondering if there are any tests out there that are used to detect alcohol usage via proteins, metabolites or something else in the blood.

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is an abnormal phospholipid that occurs in blood and is now commonly used for detecting alcohol consumption. It occurs only after several consecutive days of drinking. This marker is supposedly specific to ethanol.

There are other associated markers MCV, GGT that are sometimes used but can result from other causes (non-specific).

So is this PEth test used commonly? I've never heard of it.

So is this PEth test used commonly? I've never heard of it.

Not common. No blood testing for alcohol is common.

So is this PEth test used commonly? I've never heard of it.

it's becoming more common. Many health professional monitoring programs use it now as a second line test. For example if someone in the program missed calling in when they were tested, then the program may schedule a PEth. A few programs have begun to offer it as a first line random screen, but this is not as common as confirmatory or for participants who have some irregularity(like a missed test or missed documentation)

It's going to be more popular as time goes on because smaller quantities can be detected, which means it can now be used basically as a test for abstinence. One of the labs promoting it is stating it can pick up as little as 5-6 units of alcohol, maybe even less... either 1 unit for 5-6 days consecutively or just 1 5-6 drink binge. There are other papers that show consumption of 50mg etoh produced measureable PEth within a very short period.