Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is considered a potent resource for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers an extended timeline of drug and alcohol usage by capturing biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When collected near the scalp, hair can reveal drug and alcohol use for a period of up to roughly three months. Hair is straightforward to collect, somewhat resistant to tampering, and is easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of about 200 strands of hair (equivalent to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, which is the perfect sample size for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, or panels exceeding ten, a sample size of 150mg is advised. It is suggested to weigh the hair on a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not obtainable, a similar quantity of body hair may be used. By "head hair," we mean only scalp hair. "Body hair" refers to all other types of hair (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
Laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes entering the sample into a laboratory's system. This step confirms the sample's proper sealing and shipment, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and fills in any additional data not supplied by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening is a quick initial test for drug abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug use in most samples, a positive screen must be confirmed to be court-admissible. Any samples with a presumptive positive result in Screening need further confirmation.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is taken from the initial sample and prepared for Extraction. Drugs are extracted from hair at a significantly lower concentration than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair drug screening a challenging methodology.
Any positive screening result is confirmed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive samples are washed before confirmation as necessary. The entire laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is examined under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although often called "hair follicle tests," the assessment analyzes the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Outshines Urine Testing in Jamison, IA
Hair follicle tests offer superior detection accuracy compared to traditional urine tests.
Extended Detection Window in Jamison, IA
Hair follicle testing offers an unmatched detection window for substance use.
Secure, Tamper-Resistant Drug Testing in Jamison, IA
The hair follicle method is highly resistant to tampering.
Convenient Testing Centers, Locally and Nationally
Our testing centers are widely accessible across the nation.
Streamlined and Confidential Process in Jamison, IA
The procedure for hair follicle testing is simple and private.
Competitive Pricing and Rapid Turnaround in Jamison, IA
We offer reasonable pricing and quick results for hair testing.
Fast, Accurate, and Dependable Results in Jamison, IA
Hair follicle drug tests stand out for their precision and speed.
Compliance and Employer Assurance in Jamison, IA
Hair follicle testing aids in maintaining a drug-free workplace.