Confirmation of LSD Intoxication by Analysis of Serum and Urine
Journal of Analytical Toxicology – May 01, 1990
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
LSD intoxication can now be reliably confirmed through urine and serum testing. In a study involving 31 patients, a radioimmunoassay (RIA) detected LSD in 13 out of 14 specimens, while high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) identified it in 11 of those samples. Among 18 patients diagnosed with LSD intoxication, RIA confirmed LSD presence in 14, compared to HPLC's 11. Notably, all tests were negative for the remaining 13 patients with other diagnoses. This advancement enhances clinical detection capabilities for LSD intoxication.
Abstract
Serum and urine specimens of 31 patients with suspected lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) intoxication were analyzed for LSD by both radioimmunoassay (RIA) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The RIA assay, using 0.1 ng/mL as the limit of detection instead of the manufacturer's recommendation of 0.5 ng/mL, was positive for LSD in 13 blood and urine specimens from 14 patients. Results were compared to HPLC analysis using methysergide instead of lysergol as the internal standard and a limit of detection of 0.5 ng/mL. HPLC detected LSD in 9 of 13 serum specimens and 11 of 13 urine specimens that had tested positive by RIA. Of 18 patients with a final clinical diagnosis of LSD intoxication, LSD was detected by RIA in 14 patients and by HPLC in 11 patients. For 13 other cases in which the final diagnosis was a condition other than LSD intoxication, serum and urine assays for LSD were negative in all cases by both techniques. LSD assays have not been generally available in clinical laboratories. We conclude that the qualitative determination of LSD in either serum or urine by a commercially available radioimmunoassay has made it possible to provide reliable laboratory confirmation of LSD intoxication.