Test ID: ETGL
Ethylene Glycol, Serum
Secondary ID 
A test code used for billing and in test definitions created prior to November 2011
NY State Approved Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Confirming and monitoring ethylene glycol toxicity
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID)
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Specimen Type Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Container/Tube: Red top
Specimen Volume: 2 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild reject; Gross reject |
| Lipemia | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Icterus | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Other | Serum gel tube |
Specimen Stability Information Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum Red | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
| Ambient | 14 days | |
| Frozen | 14 days |
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Ethylene glycol, present in antifreeze products, may be ingested accidentally or for the purpose of inebriation or suicide. Ethylene glycol itself is relatively nontoxic, and its initial central nervous system (CNS) effects resemble those of ethanol. However, metabolism of ethylene glycol by alcohol dehydrogenase results in the formation of a number of acid metabolites, including oxalic acid and glycolic acid. These acid metabolites are responsible for much of the toxicity of ethylene glycol.
Three stages of ethylene glycol overdose occur. Within the first few hours after ingestion, there is transient excitation followed by CNS depression. After a delay of 4 to 12 hours, severe metabolic acidosis develops from accumulation of acid metabolites. Finally, delayed renal insufficiency follows deposition of oxalate in renal tubules.
Ethylene glycol toxicity is treated with 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP; fomepizole) or ethanol to saturate the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase and prevent conversion of ethylene glycol to its toxic metabolites.
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Toxic concentration: > or =20 mg/dL
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Toxic concentrations are > or =20 mg/dL
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Propionic acid produced in the rare inborn error of metabolism methylmalonic acidemia may be confused with ethylene glycol in the gas chromatographic assay.
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Porter W: Clinical toxicology. In Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry, Edited by CA Burtis, DE Bruns. Vol. 4. St. Louis, MO. Elsevier Saunders, 2006, pp. 1287-1369
2. O'Brien CP: Drug addiction and drug abuse. In Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. Edited by LL Brunton, JS Lazo, KL Parker. Vol. 11. McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc, 2006. Available at URL: http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=941547
3. Anderson IB: Ethylene Glycol and Other Glycols. In Poisoning & Drug Overdose. Edited by KR Olson, 5th Edition. Available at URL: http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2683943
Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Ethylene glycol is quantitated in serum by precipitating serum protein with methanol. The supernatant and analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (FID). (Unpublished Mayo method)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Sunday; Varies
Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
82693
LOINC® Code Information Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| 8749 | Ethylene Glycol, S | In Process |
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