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PEth testing provides accurate insights into recent alcohol consumption, making it essential for legal professionals in sensitive cases like child custody and family law disputes.
PEth testing is a straightforward process that ensures accurate and court-approved results. It involves the following key steps:
Quick and simple finger prick to collect one dried blood spot.
Our Lab 51 Accredited in-house lab analyse the sample for PEth levels, ensuring court-approved, reliable results.
PEth levels are classified into abstinence, moderate, or excessive consumption including binge drinking categories to provide a clear picture of drinking behaviour.
Our testing and expert witness statements are recognised in court, providing you with the confidence and support you need for legal proceedings, compliance, and health monitoring.
What is PEth testing?
PEth blood testing refers to the analysis of a specific biomarker called phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in a blood sample to monitor the alcohol use history. PEth ) testing is a highly specific blood test used to detect alcohol consumption. It measures PEth levels, which are only formed in the presence of alcohol, making it a reliable indicator of recent alcohol intake.
How long can PEth testing detect alcohol consumption?
PEth testing can detect alcohol use for up to 28 days, approximately 4 weeks,prior to the sample collection, offering a much longer detection window than standard urine tests.
How is the PEth sample collected?
At AttoLife, we use the Dried Blood Spot (DBS) method. This involves a quick and minimally invasive finger prick to collect a small blood sample (usually 1-2 drops) with our modern collection devices, ensuring ease and comfort for the test taker.
What makes PEth testing more reliable than other alcohol tests?
Unlike other alcohol markers, PEth is only produced when alcohol (also known as ethanol) is present in the body, significantly reducing the chance of false positives. This specificity makes it a trusted option in legal and medical settings.
Who can benefit from PEth testing?
PEth testing is widely used in legal cases (like child custody), medical monitoring (for patients in alcohol treatment programs), organ transplantation eligibility, and compliance assessments for regulatory bodies.
Is PEth testing accepted in legal cases?
Yes, PEth testing is court-approved and frequently used in family law, care proceedings, child custody disputes, and other legal proceedings to provide evidence of alcohol consumption behaviour.
How accurate are PEth test results?
PEth testing is highly accurate (up to 99% sensitivity and accuracy rate) due to its specificity for alcohol. It measures direct alcohol biomarkers in blood, providing clear and reliable results regarding alcohol intake.
What are the categories of alcohol consumption levels in PEth testing?
PEth testing results classify individuals into three categories:
Abstinence: Little to no alcohol consumption.
Moderate Drinkers: Social occasional to moderate alcohol use.
Excessive Consumers: Significant or excessive including binge alcohol intake.
Can PEth testing detect occasional or social drinking?
Yes, PEth testing is sensitive enough to detect even moderate levels of alcohol consumption, making it suitable for differentiating between abstinence, moderate drinking, and heavy alcohol use.
What Makes Peth Different from the other alcohol markers sich as MCV, LFT and CDT?
Unlike other alcohol tests, such as CDT, LFT and MCV, PEth test is a direct marker for alcohol consumption and is not impacted by medications, illnesses, previous drinking habits, gender, liver damage, hormonal changes, age, or the health of the donor. PEth window of detection is approximately 4 weeks. Unlike the other tests, it is less invasive, and a phlebotomist is not required, only 1-2 blood drops are needed to complete the test.
Can it be combined with other tests?
As with all blood testing, it is advisable to combine it with another matrix, such as hair or fingernails. This approach provides a more comprehensive overview of substance misuse by consolidating data from multiple sources to provide stronger evidence.
How can I request a PEth test or get a quote?
Simply fill out our online quote form here or call us on +44 020 3551 1493, and our friendly team will provide you with a tailored quote and answer any additional questions about our testing services, including PEth, hair strand drug testing, and DNA testing.