Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis stands out as an effective approach for identifying both drug and alcohol consumption. By encapsulating biomarkers within the fibers of the hair as it grows, hair offers a comprehensive record of substance use over time. Collecting hair near the scalp can provide roughly a 90-day detection period for substances such as alcohol and drugs. The collection process is straightforward, it's somewhat resistant to tampering, and shipping is uncomplicated.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches in length, containing approximately 200 hair strands (comparable to the width of a #2 pencil) from near the scalp, equates to 100mg of hair, which is the optimal quantity for both screening and verification. For tests involving EtG, supplementary testing, or those exceeding 10 panels, a quantity of 150mg is advised. It's best to weigh the sample using a jeweler’s scale. In the absence of scalp hair, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be utilized. When mentioning head hair, it specifically refers to scalp hair only; body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The drug test result processing in a laboratory consists of four key phases: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning includes the initial handling of a specimen within a lab’s infrastructure. This phase ensures that the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigns a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completes any other necessary data entry absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening involves a preliminary rapid assessment for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to exclude drug usage in most samples, a positive screening result requires confirmation for legal admissibility. Any samples identified as presumptively positive during Screening necessitate further confirmatory testing.
When a sample tests presumptively positive in the Screening phase, additional hair is taken from the initial sample for the Extraction process. In Extraction, drugs are isolated from hair at much lower concentrations than in alternative methods (such as urine or oral fluid), making hair drug testing one of the most challenging methodologies.
Confirmation of any preliminary positive finding is performed utilizing GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS techniques. All presumptive positive samples undergo washing prior to confirmation when required. The whole lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation undergoes scrutiny under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair authorization and the ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although frequently termed "hair follicle tests", this test actually examines the hair strand, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Glencoe, KY
More Comprehensive Results
Extended Detection Window in Glencoe, KY
A Broader Perspective
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Glencoe, KY
Unquestionably Accurate Results
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Glencoe, KY
Ease of Access
Simple, Confidential Process in Glencoe, KY
Effortless and Private Testing
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Glencoe, KY
Value in Efficiency
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Glencoe, KY
Efficient and Trustworthy Testing
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Glencoe, KY
Ensuring Safety and Integrity