Hair Follicle Drug Testing - Troy, IA

What it is, How it works

Hair testing has gained recognition as an effective method for identifying the use of drugs and alcohol. Hair captures a historical record of substance usage by embedding biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows. When samples are collected from close to the scalp, they can provide a detection window of up to around 3 months for drugs and alcohol. The collection process for hair is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and convenient for shipping.

A 1.5-inch section consisting of roughly 200 hair strands (comparable to the thickness of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp will produce 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for both screening and verification. For EtG testing, additional analyses, or tests exceeding 10 panels, a 150mg sample is suggested. It is advised to weigh the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair cannot be obtained, an equal quantity of body hair may be used. When referencing head hair, it specifically pertains to scalp hair. Body hair includes all other types of hair (such as facial, axillary, etc.).

Process Overview

The laboratory procedures for processing a drug test result incorporate four primary phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.

Accessioning is the initial stage where a sample is logged into the laboratory's system. This process confirms that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any missing data not provided by an electronic chain of custody system.

Screening executes an initial rapid inspection for drug abuse. While Screening is a budget-friendly option to rule out drug use for most samples, any positive findings require confirmation for legal admissibility. Samples with presumptive positive outcomes from Screening must undergo additional confirmation.

Should a sample test as presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is extracted from the original sample to prepare for Extraction. During this phase, drugs are extracted from hair at notably lower concentrations compared to other methods (such as urine or oral fluid), which accounts for the greater challenge of performing hair drug screening.

The Confirmation stage for any positive screening results is executed using GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. Presumptive positive samples undergo washing before confirmation if necessary. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation adheres to both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation standards.

Advantages of hair drug testing:

• Long detection window: Hair drug tests can identify drug usage for up to 90 days, unlike urine tests which feature a shorter detection timeframe.
• Difficulty to cheat: Cheating a hair drug test is notably challenging, which enhances result accuracy.
• Provides historical data: It offers a profile of drug use over an extended period, surpassing just recent usage.

Limitations:

• Cannot detect recent use: Drugs typically take 5-7 days to become detectable in hair.
• Cost: Hair drug tests generally incur higher costs compared to other drug test methods.
• Variations in results: Elements such as hair color and individual hair growth rate can influence drug metabolite concentrations in hair.

Note: Although commonly referred to as "hair follicle tests," the test analyzes the hair strand instead of the follicle beneath the scalp.

Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing

In Troy, IA, hair follicle testing surpasses traditional urine tests by offering a longer detection window and greater accuracy. Such testing enables employers to make better-informed decisions.

The reliability of hair tests in Troy ensures that employers can confidently uphold drug-free policies with minimal room for error.

Extended Detection Window

Hair follicle testing in Troy, IA, allows for the detection of drug use over extended periods, up to 90 days. This offers employers a comprehensive view of an individual's substance history.

For those concerned with long-term substance abuse, the extended detection period of hair testing provides invaluable insights.

Tamper-Resistant Testing Method

In Troy, IA, hair follicle tests offer a tamper-resistant solution, significantly minimizing the risk of sample falsification and delivering credible results.

The robustness of hair testing lies in its ability to withstand tampering attempts, assuring employers of a trustworthy testing method.

Convenient Nationwide Locations

Our testing centers are conveniently located nationwide, including in Troy, IA. With fast and easy access to these facilities, drug testing becomes hassle-free.

The widespread availability of our locations ensures that those in need of testing services can do so with minimal inconvenience.

Simple, Confidential Process

In Troy, IA, the process of ordering a hair follicle test and receiving results is simple and confidential. This assures clients of privacy and ease.

With a focus on user-friendly processes, individuals and businesses alike can seamlessly undertake testing without privacy concerns.

Affordable, Fast Turnaround

With competitive pricing and fast turnaround times, our hair follicle tests in Troy, IA, offer excellent value for companies seeking reliable drug testing solutions.

The affordability and quick results of our services make them a preferred choice for businesses of all sizes striving for cost-effective solutions.

Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results

The precision and speed of hair follicle drug testing in Troy, IA, are unmatched. Boasting high accuracy, these tests are capable of detecting a wide range of substances to ensure reliable results.

For businesses in Troy seeking efficient and trustworthy drug testing, the rapid processing and accuracy of hair follicle analysis provide peace of mind.

Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers

By using hair follicle testing, employers in Troy, IA, can ensure policy compliance, reduce legal risks, and enhance workplace safety. This brings peace of mind to business owners.

Implementing hair testing as part of workplace procedures helps maintain a safe, drug-free environment, essential for employer assurance.

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What's New In Hair Follicle Drug Testing according to the Hair Drug Testing Experts

With its multidisciplinary nature, hair testing brings together researchers, scientists, and experts from various domains to develop innovative techniques, explore new methodologies, and address emerging concerns, responding to the ever-evolving challenges of drug abuse, therapeutic drug monitoring, and environmental exposures to pollutants.

The joint meeting of the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) and the Italian Group of Forensic Toxicologists (GTFI) was organized in Verona, June 8–10, 2022, and hosted by the Legal Medicine team of the Verona University Hospital, directed by Franco Tagliaro together with Federica Bortolotti and Rossella Gottardo.

It served as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, facilitating groundbreaking advancements in hair testing and analysis. In this special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, we aim to showcase the remarkable manuscripts presented at this significant event, shedding light on the latest research and highlighting the future directions in this field.

Novel Analytical Techniques: The Verona meeting witnessed the unveiling of cutting-edge analytical techniques, offering enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy for drug testing. Remarkable advancements in sample preparation, detection, and identification of drug compounds have been presented. The manuscripts in this section presented novel approaches, such as multianalyte methods and on-line preparation which can enable rapid analysis and improve thorough forensic investigations.

Biomarkers and Pharmacokinetics: The identification and validation of reliable biomarkers and pharmacokinetic studies are fundamental aspects of drug testing and analysis. The impact of hair treatments on the oxidation/decomposition of drugs in hair was also explored, as the long-term fate of drugs incorporated in the keratin matrix. Furthermore, the SoHT meeting in Verona featured research on the identification and quantification of alcohol abuse biomarkers, their stability, and their correlation with exposure and other biomarkers.

Forensic Applications and Interpretation: One of the vital objectives of hair testing is its application in forensic investigations and legal proceedings. The SoHT meeting in Verona emphasized the significance of rigorous interpretation of analytical results and the need for standardized protocols. Manuscripts in this section present advancements in forensic toxicology, and have explored the challenges posed by emerging designer drugs and strategies to combat their proliferation. The pitfalls encountered when the exogenous/endogenous nature of a substance is questioned were presented and discussed. The special issue presents also manuscripts that delve into the ethical implications of drug testing in drug facilitated sexual assaults.

Clinical Applications of hair testing are witnessed by the insight on environmental tobacco smoke exposure, assessed by hair analysis in a population of students and the study of in utero-exposure to drugs of abuse through neonatal hair analysis. Exposure to drugs was also important in cases of child abuse/neglect, when the clinical purpose of hair testing merge with its forensic applications.

The legal framework surrounding hair testing and the achievement of guidelines to ensure fairness, accuracy, and confidentiality in drug testing practices have also been discussed,and the SoHT consensus on general hair testing and testing for drugs of abuse was presented at the meeting and published as a Letter to the Editor.

In conclusion, the special issue of Drug Testing and Analysis, featuring manuscripts from the SoHT–GTFI meeting in Verona 2022, reflects the remarkable advancements achieved in this field. The manuscripts provide valuable insights into novel analytical techniques, biomarkers, pharmacokinetics, forensic applications, and ethical considerations. As we embrace these advancements, we pave the way for a safer, healthier society, where drug testing and analysis serve as powerful tools in protecting public health and maintaining integrity in various sectors. The research presented in this special issue will undoubtedly shape the future of drug testing and analysis, fostering collaboration and inspiring further innovation in this crucial area of scientific inquiry.

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