PEth Lab Test – At-Home Sampling

Do you want an objective picture of your alcohol consumption over time? With this PEth test, you take a capillary blood sample at home—collected as a Dried Blood Spot (DBS) sample—and send it to the laboratory for analysis. The test measures PEth 16:0/18:1, a blood marker for alcohol that reflects alcohol intake over the past few weeks.

PEth forms in the blood in the presence of alcohol. Unlike a breathalyzer test, a PEth test does not show whether you are under the influence at the time of sampling; instead, it provides a quantitative laboratory value that can be used to track alcohol habits over an extended period.

The test at a glance

• Sample collection entirely at home
• Capillary blood collected as a DBS sample
• Analysis of PEth 16:0/18:1
• Quantitative laboratory analysis
• Medical laboratory accredited according to ISO 15189
• Quality assurance according to Rili-BÄK
• Digital results in your personal health portal
• Estimated turnaround time: approximately 3–5 days

It’s that simple

From sample collection to digital laboratory results—every step is designed to feel simple and secure.

1. Receive your PEth test

You receive a complete sample collection kit containing instructions and the materials needed for both the sampling process and the return shipment to the laboratory.

2. Prepare for sampling

Read the instructions carefully before starting. Wash and warm your hands according to the instructions to facilitate blood flow.

3. Collect the blood sample at home

Prick your fingertip with the provided lancet and apply the capillary blood to the DBS sampling card according to the instructions. Allow the sample to dry before packing it.

4. Send the sample to the laboratory

Label and pack the DBS sample according to the instructions and send it to the laboratory using the provided return materials.

5. The laboratory analyzes PEth

The laboratory analyzes the concentration of PEth 16:0/18:1 using a quality-assured laboratory method. The laboratory is accredited according to ISO 15189 and follows the Rili-BÄK guidelines for quality assurance in laboratory medical testing.

6. Receive your test results digitally

Once the analysis is complete, the laboratory result will be available in your personal health portal. The estimated turnaround time is approximately 3–5 days.

What is measured

PEth 16:0/18:1

The PEth test measures the concentration of phosphatidylethanol 16:0/18:1 in the blood.

PEth is a direct alcohol marker formed in the blood when alcohol is present in the body. Since the level changes over time, the analysis can provide information on alcohol intake over the past few weeks and be used to monitor changes in alcohol habits.

Why a PEth test might be relevant

A PEth test may be relevant for you if you:

• want an objective laboratory value linked to your alcohol habits
• want to track how your PEth value changes after reducing alcohol consumption
• want to supplement your own estimate of alcohol intake
• want to monitor your value through repeated PEth tests
• prefer to take the test at home

A single PEth value cannot show exactly how much alcohol a person has consumed or exactly when the alcohol was consumed. The formation and breakdown of PEth vary between individuals.

What does a PEth test show?

PEth is used as a direct alcohol marker in the blood. The value roughly reflects alcohol intake over the weeks or the month prior to testing.

The analysis does not show current intoxication and does not function like a breathalyzer test. Nor can it determine an exact number of drinks, exact amounts of alcohol, or the timing of specific instances of consumption.

For follow-up purposes, repeated PEth tests can be more informative than a single test, as they show how the value changes over time.

How is a PEth value interpreted?

When PEth 16:0/18:1 is reported in µmol/L, the following levels are often used as a guide in Sweden:

• Below 0.05 µmol/L: may indicate no alcohol intake or only sporadic intake.
• Above 0.30 µmol/L: may indicate more extensive and regular alcohol intake.

These thresholds serve as a guide; a single value is insufficient to definitively determine the level of consumption, harmful use, or alcohol dependence. Always refer to the laboratory's specific units, reference ranges, and the information provided in the actual test result.

Before sample collection

Always follow the instructions included with the sampling kit. Wash and warm your hands according to the instructions. Apply the blood to the DBS card as directed and allow the sample to dry before labeling, sealing, and packing it.

Laboratory and quality

The sample is analyzed at a medical laboratory accredited according to ISO 15189. The laboratory's quality assurance also adheres to the Rili-BÄK guidelines for the quality assurance of laboratory medical examinations.

• Sample material: capillary blood as a DBS sample
• Biomarker: PEth 16:0/18:1
• Sampling location: at home
• Result: digital laboratory report
• Estimated turnaround time: approximately 3–5 days

When will I receive the result?

The estimated turnaround time is approximately 3–5 days. Once the laboratory has analyzed the sample, the result will be available digitally in your personal health portal. Transport to the laboratory may affect the total time from sampling to the final result.

Important information about the result

The result provides information regarding the analyzed alcohol biomarker and does not replace medical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment.

A self-test for PEth should not be assumed to serve as an official certificate for employers, authorities, courts, or driver's license proceedings. Such contexts may require identity verification, witnessed sample collection, and documented sample handling.

Contact a healthcare provider if you are concerned about your alcohol habits, need help changing your consumption, or want support interpreting the result in a medical context.

Product data

• Test type: laboratory test with at-home sample collection
• Sample material: capillary blood (DBS sample)
• Analysis: PEth 16:0/18:1
• Measurement range and unit: specified in the laboratory report
• Reference range: the laboratory's current information is specified in the test result
• Laboratory standard: ISO 15189
• Quality assurance: Rili-BÄK
• Result: digital laboratory report in a personal health portal
• Estimated turnaround time: approximately 3–5 days

Frequently asked questions about the PEth test

Is the result reported to any authority or health center?

The result is not automatically sent to any authority or health center. The sample is processed by the laboratory, and the result is made available in your personal health portal in accordance with the service's procedures for handling personal and health data.

What is a PEth test?

A PEth test is a blood test that measures phosphatidylethanol, an alcohol marker formed in the blood in connection with alcohol consumption. This test analyzes PEth 16:0/18:1.

Can I take a PEth test at home?

Yes. You take a capillary blood sample via a fingerprick and apply the blood to a DBS collection card. The sample is then sent to the laboratory.

What is a DBS sample?

DBS stands for "dried blood spot." This means that capillary blood from the fingertip is applied to a special collection card and allowed to dry before being sent to the laboratory.

How far back does a PEth test show results for?

The value roughly reflects alcohol intake over the past few weeks or the month prior to sampling. The time frame varies between individuals.

Can PEth show exactly how much alcohol I have consumed?

No. A value cannot be translated into an exact number of drinks or a precise amount of alcohol.

Does a PEth test show if I am intoxicated?

No. PEth does not measure current alcohol intoxication.

How quickly does the PEth value decrease?

The value decreases after alcohol intake is reduced or stopped, but the rate varies significantly between individuals.

Can a PEth test determine alcohol dependence?

No. A single PEth value cannot, on its own, establish harmful use, alcohol dependence, or a diagnosis.

Can the test be used as an official certificate?

A self-collected PEth test should not automatically be considered an official certificate. Always check the requirements with the intended recipient.