What EtG Half-Life Means for Elimination
Half-life here is a teaching clock: remaining EtG is modeled as falling by about half each period you set on the slider. Literature cited on this site is roughly 2–5 hours; the control on this page lets you bracket faster vs slower rates. It is not a detox kit and it does not rebuild a peak from drinks.
How to Use a Known Lab Value With This Calculator
Type the ng/mL from the lab report, then move the half-life slider. The chart projects when 100, 300, and 500 ng/mL might clear in the model. Chemistry and a worked example stay on ETG half-life explained (also linked in the tool note above).
Frequently Asked Questions
What ETG half-life do labs use?
Literature cites ~2–5 hours; programs often assume 2.5–4. There is no single universal constant.
Can I use this for PEth blood tests?
No — PEth has a much longer half-life (~7 days). Use our PEth Test Calculator for blood markers.
Why is my ETG not falling as fast as predicted?
New drinking, lab error, or individual metabolism can differ. Models are averages only.
How do I project ETG from a lab number?
Enter the reported ng/mL and adjust the half-life slider across published ranges to see when 100/300/500 ng/mL might clear in the model.
What half-life should I pick if I am unsure?
Bracket a shorter and a longer value (about 2.5–5 hours in literature). Programs may assume a single constant — ask them.
Does this replace the drinks-based ETG calculator?
No. Use drinks-based tools when you do not have a lab value; use half-life when you are projecting an existing result.
Why did my second test not match the projection?
New drinking, lab variability, and personal metabolism all differ from a single exponential teaching curve.
Can I use hours since collection vs hours since drinking?
Project forward from the timestamp on the lab report unless your clinician tells you otherwise.