Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has emerged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol use. The fibers of hair capture biomarkers, offering a prolonged history of substance use. When collected near the scalp, this hair can reveal substance use for a period lasting up to three months. Collection is straightforward, and the sample is tough to tamper with and easy to send.
Gathering a 1.5-inch section of roughly 200 strands closest to the scalp amounts to 100mg, which is the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, supplementary tests, and/or panels exceeding 10, a specimen of 150mg is best. We recommend utilizing a jeweler's scale for this purpose. If scalp hair isn't available, a similar amount of body hair can be utilized. When mentioning head hair, we specifically reference scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The laboratory analysis of a drug test involves four principal steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning marks the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s system, verifying sample integrity during shipment, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number) at random, and completing any necessary data input absent from an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening comprises an initial assessment for substance abuse. Although a cost-efficient method to exclude drug consumption in most samples, any positive screen must be corroborated for court standards. Samples that are presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further confirmation.
In instances of presumptive positivity in Screening, more hair is taken from the initial specimen to prep for Extraction. This stage involves extracting drugs at much lower concentrations compared to other methodologies (e.g., urine or oral fluid), making hair analysis a challenging methodology to conduct.
Confirmation of any positive result from screening is performed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positives undergo washing before confirmation, if necessary. This entire lab process is overseen under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite often being termed "hair follicle tests," the evaluation is conducted on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Compared to traditional urine testing, hair follicle diagnostics in Kendleton, TX, are vastly superior due to their extended detection time and higher reliability. This method offers detailed insights into an individual's substance history, far surpassing the limitations of standard urine tests.
With the ability to recognize drug use over a span of up to 90 days, hair follicle testing in Kendleton, TX, offers a broader window of detection. This extended period provides employers with a thorough record of a person's substance history, making it an invaluable tool for comprehensive evaluations.
The hair follicle testing method used in Kendleton, TX, virtually eliminates any risk of tampering with the sample. Its resilience to manipulation ensures that the results remain trustworthy and beyond contestation, setting a high standard for drug screening accuracy.
Accessing drug testing services is straightforward in Kendleton, TX, thanks to our widespread network of testing locations. Nationwide centers ensure that testing is both convenient and expedient, streamlining the process for all users.
The hair follicle testing process in Kendleton, TX, is designed to be straightforward and private. From ordering the test to obtaining results, the procedure is handled with confidentiality, ensuring that user privacy is respected and upheld at every step.
Our competitive pricing and quick turnaround times in Kendleton, TX, make hair follicle testing an economically attractive option. Companies receive high-quality, reliable results without financial strain, ensuring value and efficiency.
In Kendleton, TX, the hair follicle drug test is recognized for its fast and accurate results. The precision of these tests ensures that any substance use is clearly identified, providing certainty for all parties involved. This makes the hair test an essential resource for clear, reliable drug screening.
Employers in Kendleton, TX, benefit from the use of hair follicle testing to maintain adherence to drug-free workplace policies. This method reduces legal vulnerabilities and fortifies workplace safety, offering peace of mind through assured compliance.