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Other causes of failed PEth test for alcohol abuse?

Posted by gjones1956 @gjones1956, Nov 14, 2017

My daughter undergoes periodic peth testing for alchohol abuse. She fails regularly, although swears she drinks NOTHING. We have reason to believe she is telling the truth. Assuming she is indeed not drinking, is there a physical condition or ailment that might produce positive peth tests? She is 29, has enlarged lymph nodes, some kind of mysterious condition that gives her severe hives, etc. We are wondering if some type of autoinflammation or autoimmune condition might explain elevated levels. Our daughter is FINALLY discussing this with her regular doctor but if it is some unusual condition a specialist will be needed. The reason the peth test is required is due to a nasty custody dispute with lots of allegations of misconduct. I just want to know if there is ANYTHING other than alchohol consumption that can lead to positive test results. Any thoughts or knowledge of cases? Thanks for reading.

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msshortcake | @msshortcake | Jan 7, 2022
In reply to @oledocfarmer "Please get this article in front of someone at the monitoring program: Viel et al. Int..." + (show)
@oledocfarmer

Please get this article in front of someone at the monitoring program: Viel et al. Int J Biochem (2012). The article shows that PEth levels are markedly elevated in inflammatory conditions where Protein Kinase C-alpha (PKC-a) enzymes are overactive. MS, for example, is one such condition.

PKC-a preferentially phosphorylates the amino acid, threonine. Threonine contains an ethanol component or “moiety.” Is it not possible that phosphorylation of amino acids that contain ethanol could produce something that at least looks or acts like PEth? I think it’s very possible if not likely.

I’ve raised this issue with the principal marketer of the PEth test. No response. I think these folks are making bank on a shockingly poorly vetted test. They have no clue as to what can potentially affect these results....biochemistry is complicated! And remember this test is not FDA-approved....precisely because so little is known about it.

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Hello! I know this is an old message thread but I would be very interested in more information on this. My boyfriend had what we KNOW is a false positive PEth test and this is affecting his security clearance at his job. We are trying to fight this and they are requesting documentation of other instances of false PEth tests. He's on a number of prescriptions for diabetes so I'm currently researching if this is a possibility as well and his liver is routinely monitored by his doctor due to random elevated enzyme levels. I'm hoping you've continued to research this and have some updated information. This has greatly affected his job and put his very career in jeopardy even though his EtG was negative. Would appreciate any guidance you can provide.

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msshortcake | @msshortcake | Jan 7, 2022
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @fairlaneowner -- welcome to Mayo Connect. We are glad you found us. I'm sorry to..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @fairlaneowner -- welcome to Mayo Connect. We are glad you found us. I'm sorry to hear about the risk of losing custody of your children due to PEth tests false positives. The best thing you can do is learn as much as you can about the testing and be a strong advocate for yourself. Here are a few more links I've found that point out the problems with the current PEth testing:

Against the Rising Tide: Looking for Biostatisticians and Epidemiologists to help shape Drug-Testing Policy to be more Evidence-Based
-- https://disruptedphysician.com/2014/12/01/against-the-rising-tide-looking-for-biostatisticians-and-epidemiologists-to-help-shape-drug-testing-policy-to-be-more-evidence-based/

ETG/ETS – A Physician Criticizes the Tests and Lack of FDA Oversight (law firm website)
-- http://www.rockindlaw.com/etgets-a-physician-criticizes-the-tests-and-lack-of-fda-oversight/

Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/) is a good tool to search for information and the results can be sorted to get the newest/latest information.

John

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Hello, John! I know this is an old message thread but I would be very interested in more information on this. My boyfriend had what we KNOW is a false positive PEth test and this is affecting his security clearance at his job. We are trying to fight this and they are requesting documentation of other instances of false PEth tests. He's on a number of prescriptions for diabetes as well as blood thinners and an anti depressant, so I'm currently researching if this is a possibility as well and his liver is routinely monitored by his doctor due to random elevated enzyme levels. I'm hoping you've continued to research this and have some updated information. This has greatly affected his job and put his very career in jeopardy even though his EtG was negative. Would appreciate any guidance you can provide.

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msshortcake | @msshortcake | Jan 7, 2022

If anyone has successfully fought a false positive PEth test, I would truly appreciate any help you can provide.

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msshortcake | @msshortcake | Jan 7, 2022
In reply to @melanie6598 "Anything you guys need. I will be there@toolsd. On another note, I am a professional witness..." + (show)
@melanie6598

Anything you guys need. I will be there@toolsd. On another note, I am a professional witness with work and public speaker, so I can articulate the unfairness you guys have been dealing with. Keep me updated!

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Melanie, I would love to get in touch with you, if possible. The sooner, the better. We are dealing with a false-positive situation with my boyfriend that is affecting his career and need to fight it. He has a hearing coming up in the next two weeks and has to provide documentation of false-positives similar to his.

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msshortcake | @msshortcake | Jan 7, 2022

I'm curious as well and need to know how this is possible.

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msshortcake | @msshortcake | Jan 7, 2022
In reply to @jetlag "@toolsd @clearofclouds1234 we need a whole separate thread on this. Lost my first class in 2014...." + (show)
@jetlag

@toolsd @clearofclouds1234 we need a whole separate thread on this. Lost my first class in 2014. 11 negatives, one positive (21ng). HIMS AME recommended 30 days inpatient which myself and those around me thought was absurd. I moved on from flying but havent been able to move past it as you can tell...

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Hello! I am reaching out in urgent need to get responses from anyone who may have had experience with a false positive PEth test My boyfriend had what we KNOW to a false positive PEth test as his was 138 ng/mL (I was literally with him daily for a week leading up to the surprise test so I know he hadn't consumed alcohol) and this is affecting his security clearance at his job. We are trying to fight this and they are requesting documentation of other instances of false positive PEth tests. He's on a number of prescriptions including Metformin, Lexapro, Lisinopril, Rosuvastatin, Jardiance, Testosterone and Lantus so I'm currently researching if it is a possibility that any of these could have caused a false positive. His liver is routinely monitored by his doctor due to random elevated enzyme levels so there has to be some biological reason for this false positive. I'm hoping there is someone who has successfully fought a false positive result and can guide me to any documentation that shows either that the test is largely unreliable and unmonitored by the FDC or documentation that would explain how a false positive can occur (other than hand sanitizer). This has greatly affected his job and put his very career in jeopardy even though his EtG was negative. Would appreciate any guidance you can provide.

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1 reply
melanie6598 | @melanie6598 | Jan 7, 2022
In reply to @msshortcake "Melanie, I would love to get in touch with you, if possible. The sooner, the better...." + (show)
@msshortcake

Melanie, I would love to get in touch with you, if possible. The sooner, the better. We are dealing with a false-positive situation with my boyfriend that is affecting his career and need to fight it. He has a hearing coming up in the next two weeks and has to provide documentation of false-positives similar to his.

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I won't be available until after 11am CST tomorrow. ***Can you send me a private message to exchange contact information***

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2 replies
msshortcake | @msshortcake | Jan 7, 2022
In reply to @melanie6598 "I won't be available until after 11am CST tomorrow. ***Can you send me a private message..." + (show)
@melanie6598

I won't be available until after 11am CST tomorrow. ***Can you send me a private message to exchange contact information***

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Thank you thank you thank you!!! I will be in touch tomorrow around 11:30 CST if that is okay. If you have availability prior to that, please feel free to call/text me. I will send you my number in a private message. 🙂 Thank you, again.

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 7, 2022
In reply to @melanie6598 "I won't be available until after 11am CST tomorrow. ***Can you send me a private message..." + (show)
@melanie6598

I won't be available until after 11am CST tomorrow. ***Can you send me a private message to exchange contact information***

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Hello @melanie6598, Thank you for offering to help @msshortcake. You will notice that we removed your cellphone number to protect your privacy since Connect is a public forum and anyone with Internet access can view the information. Members can use the private message function to exchange contact information securely. See the Get Started on Mayo Clinic Connect guide for the steps to use the private message function - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/.

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 7, 2022
In reply to @msshortcake "Thank you thank you thank you!!! I will be in touch tomorrow around 11:30 CST if..." + (show)
@msshortcake

Thank you thank you thank you!!! I will be in touch tomorrow around 11:30 CST if that is okay. If you have availability prior to that, please feel free to call/text me. I will send you my number in a private message. 🙂 Thank you, again.

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Hello @msshortcake, Welcome to Connect. Happy to see you have Melanie's number before it was removed to protect her privacy. Hoping you are able to provide an update if you can find an answer that helps you.

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