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Test Code THCCU Delta-9-Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol Confirmation and Creatinine Ratio, Random, Urine


Specimen Required


Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see THCCR / Delta 9-Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) Confirmation and Creatinine Ratio, Random, Urine

 

Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container Tube: Plastic urine container

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 5-mL tube

Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect a random urine specimen.

2. No preservative.

Additional Information:

1. No specimen substitutions.

2. STAT requests are not accepted for this test.


Useful For

Measuring the delta-9 carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC-COOH) to creatinine ratio as a part of a profile

Method Name

Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see THCCR / Delta 9-Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) Confirmation and Creatinine Ratio, Random, Urine

 

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)

Reporting Name

THC-COOH/Creatinine Ratio, U

Specimen Type

Urine

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  14 days
  Ambient  72 hours

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross icterus Reject

Clinical Information

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the active agent of the popularly abused/used drug, cannabis/marijuana.

 

Following consumption of the drug, either by inhalation or ingestion, it is metabolized to a variety of inactive chemicals, one of them being delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (delta-9-THC-COOH).

 

For confirmation of abstinence, urine analysis is a useful tool. The presence of delta-9-THC-COOH is a strong indicator that a patient has used cannabis/marijuana. However, increases in urine delta-9-THC-COOH concentrations resulting from changes in urinary output may be mistakenly interpreted as new drug use rather than carryover from previous drug exposure. Individuals continue to excrete THC-COOH for days after abstinence, and although concentrations generally decrease with time, the concentrations can fluctuate with levels of hydration. As a result, the division of urinary delta-9-THC-COOH concentrations by creatinine produces a metabolite/creatinine ratio that should decrease until a new episode of drug use occurs. Delta-9-THC-COOH/creatinine ratios of specimens collected over time can be compared to determine if new cannabis/marijuana use has occurred.

Reference Values

Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see THCCR / Delta 9-Carboxy-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) Confirmation and Creatinine Ratio, Random, Urine

 

Not detected

 

Cutoff concentration:

<5.0 ng/mL

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

3 to 5 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

80349

G0480, if appropriate