Home
HelpTest Code HEROIN 6-Monoacetylmorphine (Heroin Metabolite), Urine
Useful For
Detecting heroin abuse.
Synonyms/Keywords
6-MAM, 6-AM, Heroin
Specimen Requirements
| Fasting Required | Specimen Type | Preferred Container/Tube | Acceptable Container/Tube | Specimen Volume | Specimen Minimum Volume (allows for 1 repeat) |
Pediatric Minimum Volume (no repeat) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | Urine | Sage urine collection container | Sterile plastic container with no preservatives | 10 mL | 7 mL | 4 mL |
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Urine | Ambient | 72 hours |
| Refrigerate (Preferred) | 30 days |
Test Information
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Marshfield Labs. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This test is used for clinical purposes. It should not be regarded as investigational or for research.
6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) is a metabolite of heroin (3,6-diacetylmorphine). When a person uses heroin, the drug is rapidly deacetylated to form 6-MAM. 6-MAM is then deactylated at a slower rate for form morphine. 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) arises only from metabolism of heroin. It is not found in poppy seeds and is not a metabolic product of morphine, codeine, or any other opiate. Therefore, the presence of 6-MAM in urine is firm evidence of heroin use. Although 6-MAM is present in urine of a majority of heroin users, failure to detect 6-MAM does not rule out heroin, because 6-MAM is only present in low concentrations and for a relatively short time after use of the drug.
Interpretations
Current Cutoff Levels for Toxicology
Presence of the heroin metabolite 6-MAM is definitive evidence of recent heroin use. However, the failure to detect heroin does not rule out heroin use due to its short half-life. 6-MAM is generally only present in urine up to 24 hours after heroin use. 6-MAM metabolizes to morphine, which can be detected up to a maximum of 3 days after heroin use.
Reference Range Information
| Performing Location | Reference Range |
|---|---|
| Marshfield |
Negative. Positives are reported with a quantitative LC/MS/MS result. |
Marshfield Labs Performing Department
Marshfield Labs Special Chemistry
Performing Information
| Performing Location | Day(s) Test Performed | Analytical Time | Methodology/Instrumentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marshfield | Monday through Friday | 2-4 days | Liquid Chomatography - Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) |
CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80356 | 1 | 6-Monoacetylmorphine (Heroin Metabolite) Confirmation | ||
| G0480 | 1 | 6-Monoacetylmorphine (Heroin Metabolite) Confirmation | For Marshfield Clinic and Medicare/Medicaid |
Outreach CPT Codes
| CPT | Modifier (if needed) |
Quantity | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80356 | 1 | 6-Monoacetylmorphine (Heroin Metabolite) Confirmation | ||
| G0480 | 1 | 6-Monoacetylmorphine (Heroin Metabolite) Confirmation | For Medicare/Medicaid |
Ordering Applications
| Ordering Application | Description |
|---|---|
| COM | 6-MAM (Heroin Metab), Urine |
| Cerner | 6-MAM(Heroin Metab), Urine |