Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is now regarded as an effective means for unveiling the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair acts as a long-term record of alcohol and drug consumption by capturing biomarkers within the strands of hair as they grow. When taken near the scalp, hair can provide a detection period of up to 3 months for both alcohol and drugs. Hair samples are straightforward to gather, somewhat challenging to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch sample of around 200 hair strands (roughly the size of a #2 pencil) nearest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the optimal amount for screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or more than 10 panels, 150mg is advised. Using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen is recommended. If scalp hair is not available, an equivalent amount of body hair can be collected. Referencing head hair means scalp hair exclusively, while body hair pertains to all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory workflow for a drug test result includes the following four stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning encompasses the preliminary processing of a sample into the laboratory's database. This step involves ensuring the sample was appropriately sealed and transported, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any supplementary data entries that are absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening entails an initial rapid assessment for the presence of drugs. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation to be valid for judicial purposes. Any samples with presumptive positive results in Screening demand further confirmation.
In cases where a sample yields a presumptive positive result during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample for the Extraction phase. At this stage, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other methods like urine or oral fluid, underlining why hair drug testing is a challenging methodology.
Confirmation of any positive screening is performed using methods such as GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples with presumptive positive results undergo washing before confirmation, if necessary. The entire laboratory operation from Accessioning to Confirmation is scrutinized in accordance with both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed "hair follicle tests", the actual analysis is conducted on the hair strand, not the follicle itself.
Hair follicle testing in Lone Tree, CO, significantly outperforms traditional urine tests. Why? The key advantage of hair testing is its superior detection accuracy over a longer window.
When considering detection periods, hair follicle tests stand out in Lone Tree, CO. They uniquely extend drug traceability to up to 90 days, unlike standard methods.
Hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant solution in Lone Tree, CO. This procedure minimizes sample falsification risks that are common with other methods.
With extensive testing centers, both nationwide and in Lone Tree, CO, accessibility is never a concern. Our services are conveniently located for easy access.
Hair follicle testing in Lone Tree, CO, boasts a simple, confidential process, ensuring comfort and privacy. From ordering to result delivery, the steps are clear and secure.
In Lone Tree, CO, hair follicle tests are known for their affordable pricing and rapid results. Cost-effectiveness, combined with quick processing times, enhances value.
In Lone Tree, CO, hair follicle tests are renowned for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. This method excels in its rapid turnaround time and its precision.
For businesses in Lone Tree, CO, hair tests bring peace of mind with compliance assurance. Utilization of this method helps reinforce workplace drug-free policies.
