Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis is increasingly recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a lengthy history of alcohol and other drugs by embedding biomarkers within the strands as they grow. When sampled close to the scalp, hair offers a detection timeline of up to nearly 3 months for alcohol and other substances. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively resistant to tampering, and easy to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands, comparable in size to a #2 pencil, cut near the scalp, yields 100mg of hair, the optimal amount for analysis and verification. When conducting EtG, extended panels, or testing beyond 10 panels, a 150mg sample is advisable. It's suggested to measure the hair sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not accessible, the same quantity of body hair can be used. "Head hair" refers strictly to scalp hair, while "body hair" includes all other types (e.g., facial, axillary).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of drug tests involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the process of entering a sample into a lab’s workflow. It involves ensuring the sample's secure seal and proper shipping, assigning a unique LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any supplemental data entry not captured by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening serves as an initial cursory evaluation for substances of abuse. While Screening is an economical approach to eliminate drug use in most samples, a positive result necessitates confirmation for it to be valid legally. Positive findings in Screening must undergo a subsequent verification.
Presumptive positives from Screening lead to further hair extraction from the existing sample for the Extraction process. This step isolates drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations compared to other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), presenting hair drug testing as the most challenging method to execute.
Verification of positive Screening results is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any initial positive samples are cleansed before verification if required. The complete lab procedure from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation per ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being termed "hair follicle tests", the analysis targets the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why choose hair follicle tests over traditional urine tests in Big Wells, TX? The benefits are clear:
In Big Wells, TX, hair follicle testing provides an extended detection window, capturing drug use up to 90 days prior. This advantage offers employers a comprehensive understanding of an individual's substance history. With such a lengthy detection period, hair tests become invaluable in contexts requiring a thorough assessment of an employee or applicant's drug usage over time.
Hair follicle testing in Big Wells, TX is a tamper-resistant testing method that effectively prevents sample adulteration.
With convenient nationwide testing locations, including in Big Wells, TX, accessing hair follicle testing services is hassle-free.
The process for hair follicle testing in Big Wells, TX is simple and confidential. Users can easily order tests, participate, and receive results:
Our offerings in Big Wells, TX feature affordable pricing and fast turnaround. With its competitive pricing, hair follicle testing provides exceptional value to businesses, regardless of size.
Hair follicle drug tests in Big Wells, TX are known for delivering fast, accurate, and reliable results. The precision of these tests ensures that substance use is detected with remarkable accuracy.
Ensuring compliance and peace of mind for employers in Big Wells, TX, hair follicle testing aids workplace drug-free policy adherence.
