PETH TEST - THE MEDICAL LIE DETECTOR

PEth or phosphatidylethanol is a metabolite formed in the bloodstream only in the presence of ethanol(in simple terms, alcohol). The PEth test is carried out on a pinprick sample of blood or a 1 mL sample of whole blood. The results of the test arrive in a fortnight.

PEth < 20 ng/mL ~ abstinence/irregular low alcohol consumption over the past 4 weeks

PEth 20-200 ng/mL ~ consistent with alcohol consumption in the past 4 weeks

PEth > 200 ng/mL ~ excessive alcohol consumption in the past 4 weeks

Unlike a breathalyzer (which detects the current blood alcohol levels) and gammaglutamyl transferase (a liver enzyme elevated in moderate to heavy alcohol consumption over the past week), abnormal PEth levels may be detected in patients with a history of alcohol abuse over the past 28 days(4 weeks). The levels are not influenced by the person's age, sex or previous alcohol issues.

PEth levels may be employed as a supportive measure to aid the patient's report of alcohol abstinence. This may be useful in managing cases of liver dysfunction and hepatic failure that need liver transplant - for which at least 6 months of sobriety or strict alcohol abstinence is required.

"Sobriety is a journey, not a destination."