Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Analyzing hair is increasingly recognized as an effective approach for identifying substance and alcohol consumption. Hair captures a prolonged record of alcohol and drug intake by enclosing biomarkers within the fibers of the growing strand. When obtained near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug presence for up to around three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, not easily tampered with, and conveniently shipped.
A sample measuring 1.5 inches comprising about 200 hair strands (approximately equivalent to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp yields 100mg of hair, an ideal quantity for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional testing, or beyond 10-panel assessments, 150mg of the hair sample is suggested. It's advisable to measure the sample on a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar quantity of body hair can be used. 'Head hair' specifically means scalp hair. 'Body hair' encompasses all other hair types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result involves four primary stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning involves the initial entry of a sample into a lab’s workflow. This stage includes checking that the sample was properly sealed and transported, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any additional data input that an electronic chain of custody system didn’t provide.
Screening entails an initial, rapid assessment for drugs of abuse. Although Screening is a cost-efficient method to eliminate drug use in most samples, confirming a positive screen is necessary for court acceptability. Any samples indicating presumptive positives during Screening need a subsequent confirmation.
If a sample shows a presumptive positive at Screening, more hair is retrieved from the initial sample and readied for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which is why hair drug screening is the most intricate method to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive screening outcome is carried out through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples showing presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation if required. The complete lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under both CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and accreditation to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Comal, TX
Hair testing offers unmatched detection accuracy in Comal, TX.
Extended Detection Window in Comal, TX
Hair follicle testing offers a broader detection timeline in Comal, TX, tracing drug use back up to 90 days.
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Comal, TX
Hair follicle testing in Comal, TX, minimizes the potential for sample tampering.
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Comal, TX
Enjoy accessibility in Comal, TX, with numerous testing centers nationwide.
Simple, Confidential Process in Comal, TX
Our hair testing solutions in Comal, TX, prioritize simplicity and privacy.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Comal, TX
Our competitive pricing in Comal, TX provides excellent value.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Comal, TX
Hair follicle tests in Comal, TX, ensure rapid and precise substance detection.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers in Comal, TX
Using hair tests ensures compliance with drug-free workplace policies in Comal, TX.
