Laboratory Services

6-Monoacetylmorphine Confirmation, Random, Urine

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Updated Test Information:

Test Description
6-Monoacetylmorphine Confirmation, Random, Urine
Synonym(s)

6 MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine), 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine), Acetylmorphine, Diacetylmorphine (Heroin), Heroin Metabolite

Test ID
6MAMU
General Information

Useful for:



  • Determination of heroin use

  • 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

Specimen Type

Random Urine (10mL)

Minimum Sample Volume

2.1 mL

Stability

  • Refrigerated (preferred): 14 days

  • Frozen: 14 days

  • Ambient: 72 hours

Limitations


  • 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.



Methodology

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

Estimated TAT

2-6 days

Testing Schedule

Tuesday, Thursday

Test Includes

  • 6-Monoacetylmorphine by GC/MS

  • 6-MAM Interpretation

  • Chain of Custody

Retention

2 weeks

CPT Code(s)

  • 80356

  • G0480 (if appropriate)

Reference Range

Negative (Cutoff: < 5ng/mL)

Performing Lab

Mayo

LOINC Code(s)

19593-3, 69050-3, 77202-0

Additional Information