Who should choose instant EtG urine testing?
Instant EtG urine testing is popular with concerned parents and individuals who are looking for a more budget friendly alternative to laboratory testing.
What is the advantage of EtG urine testing with an instant test versus with a laboratory test?
Instant EtG urine testing has some advantages over laboratory testing:
- Instant urine tests are flexible in how they can be collected. Testing can be performed in the privacy of your own home or can be performed at our clinic.
- Instant urine tests are typically less expensive than laboratory-based testing.
- The results of the test are available within minutes instead of days.
What is the disadvantage of EtG urine testing with an instant test versus with a laboratory test?
While instant urine testing does have some advantages over laboratory testing, there are some disadvantages that should be considered:
- Instant urine tests have a shelf life of about 18 months. If the kit is used after the expiration date, the result may not be accurate.
- Instant urine test kits are susceptible to extreme temperatures, humidity, and contaminants. If a kit is not stored in a cool, dry, stable location, it is possible for the kit to provide an inaccurate result or no result at all.
- If an instant urine test is performed at home, the result cannot be confirmed at a laboratory. If the test is performed at our office, there will be an option to have the result confirmed at a laboratory for an additional fee.
- Instant urine tests do not provide a quantitative value, the result is either positive or negative.
- The instant urine test kits come in multiple panels, which means that the kit doesn't only test for EtG, it also includes other drugs that may or may not be of interest to the donor.
How long can EtG be detected with an instant urine test?
There is no difference between a laboratory-based test and an instant test in regard to the detection window. Instant test kits should be able to detect EtG in a urine sample up to 48 hours after alcohol consumption stops and may detect EtG up to 72 hours after consumption stops if the amount of alcohol consumed was high.
How is instant EtG urine testing performed?
Instant EtG urine testing is performed by having the donor provide a urine sample into the testing kit, or into a sterile urine collection cup which is then poured into the testing kit.
Once the sample is collected, the collector or donor waits a set amount of time before reading the test results.
If the collection is performed at our clinic, the donor will receive a result that is signed by the collector. If the collection is performed at home, no result is provided other than what the test kit reads.
Collections performed at our office can also be observed if requested. If a test is observed, a trained observer of the same gender as the donor will follow the donor into the restroom or restroom stall to ensure that the donor does not tamper with or substitute their sample.
If the test is positive and was collected at our clinic, the donor will have the option to have the result confirmed at a laboratory for an additional fee. If confirmation is requested, the sample is packaged and sent to the laboratory for testing.