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HelpTest Code THCMX 11-nor-Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-9-Carboxylic Acid (Carboxy-THC) Confirmation, Chain of Custody, Meconium
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.
Additional Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| COCH | Chain of Custody Processing | No | Yes |
Reporting Name
Carboxy-THC Confirmation, CoC, MSpecimen Type
MeconiumShipping 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 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 |
Clinical Information
Marijuana and other psychoactive products obtained from the plant Cannabis sativa are the most widely used illicit drugs in the world.(1) Marijuana has unique behavioral effects that include feelings of euphoria and relaxation, altered time perception, impaired learning and memory, lack of concentration, and mood changes (eg, panic reactions and paranoia).
Cannabis sativa produces numerous compounds collectively known as cannabinoids, including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the most prevalent and produces most of the characteristic pharmacological effects of smoked marijuana.(2) THC undergoes rapid hydroxylation by the cytochrome enzyme system to form the active metabolite 11-hydroxy-THC. Subsequent oxidation of 11-hydroxy-THC produces the inactive metabolite 11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (THC-COOH; carboxy-THC). THC-COOH and its glucuronide conjugate have been identified as the major end-products of metabolism. THC is highly lipid soluble, resulting in its concentration and prolonged retention in fat tissue.(3)
Cannabinoids cross the placenta, but a dose-response relationship or correlation has not been established between the amount of marijuana use during pregnancy and the levels of cannabinoids found in meconium, the first fecal matter passed by the neonate.(4,5) The disposition of drug in meconium 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 amniotic fluid.(5) The first evidence of meconium in the fetal intestine appears at approximately the 10th to 12th week of gestation, and it slowly moves into the colon by the 16th week of gestation.(6) Therefore, the presence of drugs in meconium has been proposed to be indicative of in utero drug exposure during the final 4 to 5 months of pregnancy, a longer historical measure than is possible by urinalysis.(5)
Chain of custody is a record of the disposition of a specimen to document each individual who collected, handled, and 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
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.
Cautions
No significant cautionary statements
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
2 to 3 daysPerforming 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)
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 |
Method Name
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
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.