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Test Code LAB6MAM 6-Monoacetylmorphine Confirmation, Random, Urine

Additional Codes

Test Name in EPIC EPIC Test Code Mnemonic

Mayo Test ID
6-MAM, U LAB6MAM 6MAM 6MAMU

 

Reporting Name

6-MAM Confirmation, U

Useful For

Determinating heroin use

Method Name

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Urine


Ordering Guidance


1. For situations where chain of custody is required, a Chain-of-Custody Kit (T282) is available. For chain-of-custody testing, order 6MAMX / 6-Monoacetylmorphine, Chain of Custody, Random, Urine.

2. If urine creatinine is required or adulteration of the sample is suspected, order ADULT / Adulterants Survey, Random, Urine.

3. Additional drug panels and specific requests are available. Call 800-533-1710 or 507-266-5700.



Specimen Required


Supplies: Urine Tubes, 10 mL (T068)

Container Tube: Plastic, 10-mL urine tube

Specimen Volume: 10 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect a random urine specimen.

2. No preservative.

Additional Information:

1. No specimen substitutions.

2. STAT requests are not accepted for this test.


Specimen Minimum Volume

2.1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  14 days
  Ambient  72 hours

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross icterus OK

Reference Values

Negative

 

6-MAM cutoff concentration: <5 ng/mL

Day(s) Performed

Tuesday, Wednesday

CPT Code Information

80356

G0480 (if appropriate)

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
6MAMU 6-MAM Confirmation, U 19593-3

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
30983 6-Monoacetylmorphine by GC/MS 19593-3
29898 6-MAM Interpretation 69050-3
29899 Chain of Custody 77202-0

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.

Clinical Information

Heroin (diacetylmorphine) is a semisynthetic opiate that is closely related to morphine. It is no longer used clinically in the United States, though elsewhere it is used for rapid relief of pain.(1) Like morphine and other opiates, its relaxing and euphoric qualities make heroin a popular drug of abuse. Heroin is commonly injected intravenously, although it can be administered by other means, such as snorting, smoking, or inhaling vapors.

 

Heroin shares the core structure of morphine, with the addition of 2 acetyl groups, which are thought to enhance its permeation into the central nervous system.(2,3) Heroin is metabolized by sequential removal of these acetyl groups; loss of first acetyl group converts heroin into 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) and loss of the second acetyl group converts 6-MAM to morphine, the dominant metabolite of heroin.(2,3) Heroin is rarely found intact in urine since only 0.1% of a dose is excreted unchanged. 6-MAM is a unique metabolite of heroin, and its presence is a definitive indication of recent heroin use. Like heroin, 6-MAM has a very short half-life and detection window.

Interpretation

The presence of 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) in urine is definitive for recent heroin use. However, the absence of 6-MAM does not rule-out heroin use because of its short half-life. 6-MAM is typically only detectable within 24 hours of heroin use. 6-MAM is further metabolized into morphine, which may be detected 1 to 2 days after 6-MAM is no longer measurable. Morphine will typically be found in a specimen containing 6-MAM.(2,3)

Cautions

While 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) is metabolized to morphine, the presence of morphine alone is not sufficient evidence to prove heroin use. 6-MAM is the only definitive metabolite of heroin.

Method Description

6-Monoacetylmorphine is extracted using solid phase extraction techniques. The eluent is evaporated, reconstituted in organic solvent, and then derivatized. It is then analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry using selected ion monitoring.(Unpublished Mayo method)

Report Available

3 to 7 days

Specimen Retention Time

14 days

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen.