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Other causes of failed PEth test for alcohol abuse?
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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I gave that study to my lawyer. See if he can do anything with it. I know the collection site did completely foul up the sampling process. That is the only reason I could be a positive peth. There is nothing I ingested that could account for it. I do not drink. I don't do Nyquil or mouthwash or teeth whitener, etc etc The nurse admitted to never having done a peth dry spot before. He was in and out of the room asking for instruction the whole time. He came back in the room and just dumped everything out on the table. I did not wash my hands. I used an alcohol wipe right before he pricked my finger. One he provided of course. Can't tell you if it was ethol alcohol or isopropyl alcohol or not. I dabbed the card (made physical contact). (Apparently that's a big no no) He put it in the air drying box but he sealed up the sample right away in a plastic bag when he should have let it dry for an hour. Blah Blah Blah I've lost my medical over this. Something needs done about this.
A lot of testing centers (and other places) have alcohol-based hand sanitizer that will yield a positive PEth. That’s why that study is important,
@toolsd @flyboybray
In the same position as you two possibly. Been getting PEth(finger prick) tests for over 4 years and just had my first positive ever. I tested at 24ng/mL according to the paperwork from USDTL. I was in complete shock! Within the same day of being notified I went and got tested again: PEth(finger prick) test, Urine ETG and Hair ETG. All three test came back negative. I'm very mindful and experienced, as a donor, in how the test collection is administered, 4+ years of doing this test!
The only thing that has changed for this test was got tested within 2 hours of finishing a trip. I have never gotten tested, by PEth, same day as working. I have seen all the same articles questioning validity of the PEth test vs contamintaion from Ethly Glychol products ie; Hand Sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, etc. I'm being told its impossible to test at a level of 24ng/mL without ingesting it. Times have changed in the past few months with COVID-19. I'm instructed by my employer to use these products (Flight Deck Wipes & Sani-Comm) to clean are workstations. Furthermore when positioning around the system your given Purell Wipes and one time use Purell gel packs. Every public place I go into has Hand Sanitizer. Again instructed to use these from my Employer who gets the imformation and recommendations from the FAA, who cites the CDC in the latest SAFO 20003 publication.
I've been very mindful of what I expose myself to, but at the same time its my responsibility to comply with procedures and guidelines from my employer to protect myself, crew and customers. I know this is going to be an uphill battle. Let me know if either of you need more information.
Yes. Would love more information. I’ll send you a private message.
Dude.....send me a private message. We need to talk. -BR
Another Pilot here in a similar situation. Have not had a sip of alcohol in close to three years and had a positive (274ng/ml!) come back from a finger prick test. Have been under a monitoring program for over two years now and never had a positive. Went and took another blood test (intravenous) 16 days later and it came back negative. Also had a nail-ETG test done 28 days later and it came back negative. Something is wrong, lost my medical, its like a bad dream that wont stop.
Name Brian.....Private message me to exchange phone numbers.
@flyboybray You’ll notice that I removed your personal phone number from your message. Mayo Clinic Connect is a public forum. We recommend using the secure private message function to exchange personal contact information.
Great to see two pilots connecting. 🙂
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1 ReactionThanks. I realized what I did after and tried to edit it. Guess it didn't work.
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