ETG Testing FAQ

An ETG (Ethyl Glucuronide) test is a highly sensitive alcohol test that detects the presence of a specific alcohol metabolite in your body. Unlike breathalyzers that only detect current intoxication, ETG tests can detect alcohol consumption for up to 3-5 days after drinking. The test is typically performed on urine samples and is commonly used in legal settings, workplace testing, and addiction recovery monitoring.

ETG stands for Ethyl Glucuronide. It is a direct metabolite of ethanol (the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages). When your body processes alcohol, a small percentage (about 0.5-1.5%) is converted to ETG through a process called glucuronidation in the liver.

ETG testing using LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) is highly accurate with sensitivity rates above 95%. The test is very specific to alcohol consumption and rarely produces false positives when using appropriate cutoff levels (500 ng/mL or higher). However, very low cutoff levels (100 ng/mL) may detect incidental alcohol exposure from products like hand sanitizers or mouthwash.

ETG (Ethyl Glucuronide) and ETS (Ethyl Sulfate) are both direct metabolites of alcohol. ETS is formed through a different metabolic pathway. Many labs test for both markers simultaneously to increase accuracy and reduce false positives. ETS has a slightly shorter detection window than ETG but serves as a confirmatory marker. Testing for both provides stronger evidence of alcohol consumption.

ETG can be detected in urine for 48-80 hours (2-3.5 days) after alcohol consumption. The exact detection window depends on several factors:

• Light drinking (1-3 drinks): 24-48 hours
• Moderate drinking (4-7 drinks): 48-72 hours
• Heavy drinking (8+ drinks): 72-96 hours
• Binge drinking: Up to 120 hours (5 days)

Individual factors like metabolism, hydration, and body weight also affect detection time.

Yes, it's possible to pass an ETG test in 48 hours if you consumed a small amount of alcohol (1-3 standard drinks). However, if you consumed moderate to heavy amounts of alcohol, 48 hours is generally not enough time. For best results:

• Light drinking: 48 hours is usually sufficient
• Moderate drinking: Allow 60-72 hours
• Heavy drinking: Allow 72-96 hours

Use our ETG calculator to get a personalized estimate based on your specific situation.

Passing an ETG test in 24 hours is unlikely unless you consumed only 1-2 drinks. ETG levels typically peak 2-4 hours after drinking stops and then decline with a half-life of 2-3 hours. Even with minimal drinking, ETG levels may still exceed test thresholds at 24 hours. For safety, allow at least 48-72 hours after any alcohol consumption before testing.

ETG can be detected in hair for up to 90 days or longer, depending on hair length. Hair grows approximately 0.5 inches per month, and ETG is incorporated into the hair shaft as it grows. Hair testing provides the longest detection window for alcohol use and can establish patterns of chronic drinking. A standard 1.5-inch hair sample can detect alcohol use over the previous 3 months.

The shortest reliable detection time for ETG in urine is approximately 24-36 hours after consuming 1-2 standard drinks. However, detection depends on the test sensitivity. Lower cutoff levels (100 ng/mL) may detect alcohol for longer periods than higher cutoffs (500-1000 ng/mL). Blood and saliva tests have shorter detection windows of 12-24 hours.

A passing ETG level depends on the cutoff threshold used by the testing facility. Common cutoff levels are:

• 100 ng/mL: Most sensitive, used in zero-tolerance programs
• 250 ng/mL: Moderate sensitivity
• 500 ng/mL: Most common standard cutoff (recommended by SAMHSA)
• 1000 ng/mL: Less sensitive, reduces false positives

Results below the cutoff level are considered negative (passing). Results at or above the cutoff are considered positive (failing).

500 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter) is the concentration of ETG in your urine. It's one of the most common cutoff thresholds for ETG testing. If your ETG level is below 500 ng/mL, the test is negative (you pass). If it's at 500 ng/mL or higher, the test is positive (you fail). This cutoff level is recommended by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) because it minimizes false positives from incidental alcohol exposure while reliably detecting intentional drinking.

ETG tests can provide a rough indication of alcohol consumption levels but cannot precisely determine the exact number of drinks consumed. Higher ETG levels generally indicate more alcohol consumption, but many factors affect ETG concentration:

• Time since drinking
• Hydration level (affects urine concentration)
• Individual metabolism
• Kidney function

As a general guide: Low levels (500-1000 ng/mL) suggest light drinking, moderate levels (1000-10,000 ng/mL) suggest moderate drinking, and high levels (10,000+ ng/mL) suggest heavy drinking.

High ETG readings are caused by:

• Heavy alcohol consumption: More drinks = higher ETG levels
• Recent consumption: Levels peak 2-4 hours after drinking
• Dehydration: Concentrated urine shows higher ETG levels
• Slow metabolism: Some individuals eliminate ETG more slowly
• Impaired kidney function: Reduces ETG elimination rate

The only reliable way to pass an ETG test is to allow sufficient time for ETG to be eliminated from your system naturally. There is no proven way to speed up elimination significantly. To pass an ETG test:

• Allow enough time: 72-80 hours for moderate to heavy drinking
• Avoid alcohol completely: Including products containing alcohol
• Stay hydrated: Drink normal amounts of water (don't over-hydrate)
• Use our calculator: Get a personalized estimate for your situation

Warning: Attempting to cheat or manipulate the test (dilution, substitution) can result in serious consequences and is often detected.

Drinking water maintains normal hydration but does NOT significantly speed up ETG elimination. While water may dilute urine concentration, testing labs also check for dilution by measuring creatinine and specific gravity levels. Excessively diluted samples are typically flagged as invalid and require retesting. The best approach is to stay normally hydrated and allow sufficient time for natural elimination. There are no shortcuts to passing an ETG test.

No, you cannot "flush" ETG out of your system faster than the natural elimination rate. ETG is eliminated through a biological process with a half-life of 2-3 hours, which cannot be significantly accelerated. Products or methods claiming to flush or detox ETG are not scientifically supported and do not work. Excessive water consumption to dilute urine will be detected by the lab. The only effective method is allowing adequate time for natural elimination.

To avoid a positive ETG test result, avoid:

• All alcoholic beverages: Beer, wine, spirits, cocktails
• Non-alcoholic beer: Contains trace amounts of alcohol
• Alcohol-based mouthwash: Use alcohol-free alternatives
• Hand sanitizers: Use soap and water when possible
• Medications with alcohol: Check labels, consult pharmacist
• Foods cooked with alcohol: Some sources suggest avoiding (debatable)
• Alcohol-containing beauty products: Hairspray, perfumes, etc.

False positives are possible but rare, especially at higher cutoff levels (500 ng/mL or above). Potential causes of false positives include:

• Heavy use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Excessive use of alcohol-containing mouthwash
• Certain medications containing alcohol
• Diabetes or other conditions causing endogenous alcohol production (extremely rare)

Most incidental exposures won't cause positive results at 500 ng/mL or higher cutoffs. If you believe you have a false positive, request confirmatory testing with LC-MS/MS and discuss with the testing authority.

Excessive use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer can potentially cause a positive ETG test, particularly at very sensitive cutoff levels (100 ng/mL). However, normal hand sanitizer use is unlikely to cause a positive result at the standard 500 ng/mL cutoff. If you're subject to ETG testing, consider using alcohol-free hand sanitizer or soap and water to eliminate any risk.

Alcohol-containing mouthwash can potentially cause a positive ETG test if used in large amounts or if the test has a very low cutoff (100 ng/mL). Studies show that normal mouthwash use may produce ETG levels of 100-500 ng/mL. To avoid any risk, use alcohol-free mouthwash brands before ETG testing. Many testing programs at 500 ng/mL cutoff won't result in positives from normal mouthwash use, but it's safer to avoid it.

Yes, non-alcoholic beer can cause a positive ETG test. Despite the name, non-alcoholic beer typically contains 0.5% alcohol or less (some contain 0%). Consuming multiple non-alcoholic beers can result in measurable ETG production. If you're subject to ETG testing, it's best to avoid non-alcoholic beer entirely to ensure you don't fail the test.

Foods cooked with alcohol are unlikely to cause positive ETG tests at standard cutoff levels. Most alcohol evaporates during cooking, though some may remain depending on cooking method and duration. However, foods with high alcohol content that aren't cooked (like rum cake or liqueur-filled chocolates) could potentially produce detectable ETG levels. To be completely safe before testing, avoid all alcohol-containing foods.

LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry) is the gold standard laboratory method for ETG testing. This technique separates, identifies, and quantifies ETG molecules with extremely high accuracy and specificity. LC-MS/MS testing is more expensive than immunoassay screening but provides definitive results with minimal false positives. It's often used as confirmatory testing after an initial positive immunoassay result.

ETG tests and breathalyzers measure different things:

• Breathalyzer: Measures current blood alcohol concentration (BAC), detects active intoxication, effective for 8-24 hours
• ETG Test: Measures alcohol metabolite, detects past consumption, effective for 48-80 hours

Breathalyzers are used for DUI enforcement and immediate impairment testing. ETG tests are used to monitor abstinence and detect drinking over several days.

No, ETG levels do not increase after reaching peak concentration (typically 2-4 hours after drinking stops). After peaking, ETG levels decline exponentially with a half-life of 2-3 hours. The only way for ETG levels to increase again is through additional alcohol consumption. If someone claims their ETG level increased without drinking, other factors like sample contamination or testing errors should be investigated.

Yes, gender affects ETG production and levels. Women typically have:

• Higher peak ETG concentrations than men after consuming the same amount of alcohol
• Lower body water content (about 55% vs 68% in men)
• Lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme
• Slower alcohol metabolism overall

This means women may have higher ETG levels and longer detection windows compared to men for equivalent alcohol consumption. Our calculator accounts for gender differences in its estimates.

Our ETG calculator provides estimates based on established scientific research and pharmacokinetic models. However, individual results vary due to unique metabolic factors, liver function, kidney function, and other variables that can't be fully captured in a calculator. The estimates should be used as general guidance, not as definitive predictions. For the most reliable results, allow extra time beyond the calculator's estimate and consider individual factors that might affect your elimination rate.

Our ETG calculator requires:

• Number of standard drinks consumed
• Body weight (in pounds)
• Gender (affects metabolism rate)
• Duration of drinking period
• Time elapsed since last drink
• Hydration level
• ETG test threshold (cutoff level)

This information allows the calculator to provide personalized estimates for your specific situation.

Yes, absolutely. All calculations are performed locally in your web browser using JavaScript. The information you enter is:

• NOT transmitted to any server
• NOT stored in any database
• NOT shared with any third party
• Cleared when you close or refresh the page

Your privacy is completely protected when using our calculator.