Test Catalog

Test Id : AMPMX

Amphetamine-Type Stimulants Confirmation, Chain of Custody, Meconium

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

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.

Additional Tests
Lists tests that are always performed, at an additional charge, with the initial tests.

Test Id Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
COCH Chain of Custody Processing No Yes

Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test

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

NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.

Yes

Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test

Amphetamines Confirmation, CoC, M

Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching

Desoxyn (Methamphetamines)

MDA (Methylenedioxyamphetamine) Metabolite for Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA) and Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)

Methamphetamines (Desoxyn)

Methyelendioxyamphetamine (MDA) Metabolite for Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA) and Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

Speed (Amphetamines)

Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing

Meconium

Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing

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:

1. Specimen that arrives with a broken seal does not meet the chain of custody requirements.

2. The laboratory recommends sending chain-of-custody specimens by overnight shipment.

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.

Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.

0.3 g (approximately 1/4 teaspoon)

Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected

Grossly bloody Reject; Pink OK

Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Meconium Frozen (preferred) 28 days
Ambient 28 days
Refrigerated 28 days

Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

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.

Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Several stimulants and hallucinogens chemically related to phenylethylamine are referred to collectively as the amphetamine-type stimulants (amphetamines). Generally, this refers to the prescription and illicit amphetamines including amphetamine; methamphetamine; 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy); 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA); and 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA).(1) Methamphetamine has become a drug of choice among stimulant abusers because of its availability and ease of production.

 

The metabolism of amphetamine consists of hydroxylation and deamination followed by conjugation with glucuronic acid. Methamphetamine is metabolized to amphetamine; both should be present in urine after methamphetamine use. Both MDMA and MDEA are metabolized to MDA.(1)

 

The disposition of drug in meconium, the first fecal material passed by the neonate, is not well understood. The proposed mechanism is that the fetus excretes drug into bile and amniotic fluid. Drug accumulates in meconium either by direct deposition from bile or through swallowing of amniotic fluid.(2) The first evidence of meconium in the fetal intestine appears at approximately the 10th to 12th week of gestation, and slowly moves to the colon by the 16th week of gestation.(3) Therefore, the presence of drugs in meconium has been proposed to be indicative of in utero drug exposure up to 5 months before birth, a longer historical measure than is possible by urinalysis.(2)

 

Intrauterine drug exposure to amphetamines has been associated with maternal abruption, prematurity, and decreased growth parameters, such as low birthweight.(4) Some intrauterine amphetamine-exposed infants may develop hypertonia, tremors, and poor feeding and abnormal sleep patterns.(5)

 

Chain of custody is a record of the disposition of a specimen to document who collected it, who handled it, and who performed the analysis. When a specimen is submitted in this manner, analysis will be performed in such a way that it will withstand regular court scrutiny.

Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

Negative

 

Positives are reported with a quantitative liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) result.

Cutoff concentrations for LC-MS/MS testing:

Amphetamine: 20 ng/g

Methamphetamine: 20 ng/g

3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine: 20 ng/g

3,4-Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine: 20 ng/g

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine: 20 ng/g

Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

The presence of any of the following: amphetamine; methamphetamine; 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine; 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; or 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine at more than 20 ng/g is indicative of in utero exposure up to 5 months before birth.

Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

No significant cautionary statements

Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature

1. Baselt RC: Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemical in Man. 8th ed. Biochemical Publications; 2008:83-86; 947-952; 993-999

2. Ostrea EM Jr, Brady MJ, Parks PM, Asensio DC, Naluz: Drug screening of meconium in infants of drug-dependent mothers: an alternative to urine testing. J Pediatr. 1989 Sep;115(3):474-477

3. Ahanya SN, Lakshmanan J, Morgan BL, Ross MG: Meconium passage in utero: mechanisms, consequences, and management. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2005 Jan;60(1):45-56

4. Kwong TC, Ryan RM: Detection of intrauterine illicit drug exposure by newborn drug testing. National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry. Clin Chem. 1997 Jan;43(1):235-242

5. Dixon SD: Effects of transplacental exposure to cocaine and methamphetamine on the neonate. West J Med. 1989 Apr;150(4):436-442

6. Langman LJ Bechtel LK, Meier BM, Holstege C: Clinical toxicology. In: Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2018:832-887

Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

Meconium is mixed with internal standard and extracted with methanol. The methanolic extract is further processed by solid phase extraction. The extract is analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy.(Unpublished Mayo method)

PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information

No

Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.

Monday through Sunday

Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.

2 to 3 days

Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

2 weeks

Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester

Fees
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.

  • Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
  • Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.

Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.

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
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.

CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.

80324

80359

G0480 (if appropriate)

LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.

Test Id Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
AMPMX Amphetamines Confirmation, CoC, M 69021-4
Result Id Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
36136 Amphetamine 26959-7
36137 Methamphetamine 69022-2
36138 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine 69023-0
36139 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine 69024-8
36140 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine 69025-5
36141 Interpretation 69050-3
36142 Chain of Custody 77202-0

Test Setup Resources

Setup Files
Test setup information contains test file definition details to support order and result interfacing between Mayo Clinic Laboratories and your Laboratory Information System.

Excel | Pdf

Sample Reports
Normal and Abnormal sample reports are provided as references for report appearance.

Normal Reports | Abnormal Reports

SI Sample Reports
International System (SI) of Unit reports are provided for a limited number of tests. These reports are intended for international account use and are only available through MayoLINK accounts that have been defined to receive them.

SI Normal Reports | SI Abnormal Reports