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HelpTest Code THCMX 11-nor-Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-9-Carboxylic Acid (Carboxy-THC) Confirmation, Chain of Custody, Meconium
Reporting Name
Carboxy-THC Confirmation, CoC, MPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Useful For
Detecting in utero drug exposure up to 5 months before birth
Chain of custody is required whenever the results of testing could be used in a court of law. Its purpose is to protect the rights of the individual contributing the specimen by demonstrating that it was under the control of personnel involved with testing the specimen at all times; this control implies that the opportunity for specimen tampering would be limited. Since the evidence of illicit drug use during pregnancy can be cause for separating the baby from the mother, a complete chain of custody ensures that the test results are appropriate for legal proceedings.
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Shipping Instructions
The laboratory recommends sending chain-of-custody specimens by overnight shipment.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Chain-of-Custody Meconium Kit (T653) includes the specimen containers, seals, and documentation required.
Specimen Volume: 1 g (approximately 1 teaspoon)
Collection Instructions: Collect entire random meconium specimen.
Additional Information: Specimens that arrive with a broken seal do not meet the chain of custody requirements.
Specimen Type
MeconiumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.3 g (approximately 1/4 teaspoon)
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meconium | Frozen (preferred) | 28 days | |
| Refrigerated | 21 days | ||
| Ambient | 14 days |
Reject Due To
| Grossly bloody | Reject; Pink OK |
| Stool Diapers |
Reject |
Reference Values
Negative
Positives are reported with a quantitative liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry result.
Cutoff concentration: 5 ng/g
Interpretation
The presence of 11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid at 5 ng/g or greater is indicative of in utero drug exposure up to 5 months before birth.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
2 to 3 daysTest 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)
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| THCMX | Carboxy-THC Confirmation, CoC, M | 69007-3 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| 36305 | Carboxy-THC | 69007-3 |
| 36306 | Interpretation | 69050-3 |
| 36307 | Chain of Custody | 77202-0 |
Forms
1. Chain of Custody Request is included in the Chain-of-Custody Meconium Kit (T653).
2. If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.
Additional Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| COCH | Chain of Custody Processing | No | Yes |