Positive PEth in a non-drinker

@kpm, welcome. This must be very confusing for both you and your husband. You may be interested in this related discussion:
- Other causes of failed PEth test for alcohol abuse? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/can-failed-peth-test-for-alchohol-abuse-be-caused-by-physical-conditio/

I'm sure you've already thought of this, but is he taking any medications that contain alcohol or ethanol? Was his request to be hospitized accepted as a possible way to investigate the issue?

I did read most of the information on the link you sent - some of it no longer available due to how long it's been since posted.
He does not take any medication that contains alcohol or ethanol, so far the request to be hospitalized has not been accepted.
My brain has been all over the place - have thought about contacting news media for help or even possibly hiring a lawyer - we don't want a settlement - only answers to what's causing to show alcohol on his medical test and then hopefully we can move forward with the transplant.
It has been quite traumatizing for both of us. I refuse to give up and will keep fighting until we have some answers.
We have spoken with numerous people and searched the internet and no one has ever heard of anything like this.

@kpm, Welcome, and glad to meet you here on Connect. I am a liver and kidney recipient, and have not had any experience with a PEth test. I can certainly understand your confusion, though.
I would like to turn some attention to your husband's NALD diagnosis. At his current MELD of 15, is your husband having any symptoms of cirrhosis? Was this PEth test administered in preparation for transplant evaluation?

He is having symptoms, extreme fatigue, not sleeping well at night and HE, which is decently under control with medications, unless he has procedures where is he put to sleep. He has a lung nodule removed in February and had a severe HE episode after that. He also has two small tumors on his liver that will be treated with Y-90 next week. The PEth test was administered in preparation for the transplant team - he has had numerous repeat test and they always come back high PEth. This is something we could not have never dreamed we would be going through since he is a non-drinker.
Was your kidney transplant done at the same time as your liver transplant? How long are you post transplant?
Thank you for reaching out to me!

@kpm, I'm sorry that I've been delayed in responding. I was "away" at Mayo Rochester for my annual transplant evaluation. I got my transplant 13 years ago. I had a liver and a kidney transplant at the same time. The procedure is called a simultaneous transplant (one deceased donor, one surgery, 2 organs) My liver failure was due to Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and the kidney was due to acute hepatorenal failure. I completely understand what you mean by saying that this is something that you never dreamed you would be going through. Me and my husband felt the same way. As my health failed, my husband had to take on more and more of my care, and he was able to be with me, at my side through the entire experience. He was my strength. and still is.
In our last conversation, you shared that your husband was going thru the pre-transplant evaluation and that he would be having Y-90 for small liver tumors. How did that go for him? Is it a one time treatment/procedure or a series of treatments? What is the next step?

I know before transplant we were told Dont use mouthwash with alcohol even the wioes that had which hazel in in for hemmroids contain alcohol. Is he Diabetic? Because I have read that sometimes diabetics breath can smell just like alcohol.Maybe it's something in his system like that. Maybe consult with a Endo crinologist .I know Pharmacists know a lot more about interactions .I would ask a Pharmacist and this might sound Completly Weird but you might want to also ask a Hematologist. That know Alot about the Blood or even call a Lab and ask for the top chemist .Tell us what u fund out

My wife was at Mayo for check up for alcoholic liver disease. One of the tests was a PEth test . somehow she had a positive result. I know that she hasn't had a drink since early December when she had a 1 day relapse. The test was on the 2nd of March. I'm baffled? I read that hand sanitizer can cause this, is that true? The Mayo committee dismissed her from ever being able to continue at Mayo. Is there anyone else with this issue?

Hi @jimdandy1, welcome. I moved your post to this existing discussion:
- Positive PEth in a non-drinker https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/positive-peth-in-a-non-drinker/

I did this so that you can read the previous helpful posts from members in a similar situation and connect with them.

@jimdandy1, I want to welcome both you and your wife to Connect.
The rules and requirements are rigid and all transplant centers must adhere strictly to all of the requirements in order to best assure a successful organ transplant with a lifetime of adherence to rules and restrictions. I am sad to hear of this particular incident that you have experienced.

It is not entirely unusual for patients to be turned away, until certain individual requirements are met.
Is there any possibility that rehab or counseling is an option for your wife? Have you discussed this with a social worker?

Thanks for that, I'm new at this