This test is for the primary use of the Liver Transplant Unit at Austin Health. Results are qualitative: "positive" or "negative". The cut-off used has been determined in consulation with this clinical unit.
Please note that Austin Pathology does not maintain chain-of-custody and thus results should not be used for legal purposes.
Ethyl Glucuronide is a metabolite of ethanol, and is a marker of recent alcohol ingestion. It may be detectable in urine for up to 80 hours after consumption of alcohol, however variation exists due to factors such as amount of alcohol consumed and individual metabolism. We are unable to determine the type of alcohol ingested nor the likely time of exposure.
"False positive" results may be seen from in-vitro production of alcohol and ETG from bacterial or fungal contamination of the urine. Positive results have also been reported from inhalation of alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
False negatives may be seen in very dilute urine (i.e urine creatinine less than 2 mmol/L).
