Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is increasingly recognized as an effective approach for identifying drug and alcohol use. Hair encases biomarkers within the fibers as it grows, offering long-term insights into alcohol and drug consumption. When taken near the scalp, hair can reveal alcohol and drug usage for roughly three months. Collecting hair is straightforward, tampering is challenging, and it is easily transported.
A 1.5-inch segment of around 200 hair strands (similar in thickness to a #2 pencil) from near the scalp provides 100mg, the perfect amount for analysis. For EtG, additional tests, or tests exceeding 10 panels, 150mg is advised. It is suggested to weigh the sample using a jeweler's scale. If scalp hair is not an option, an equivalent quantity of body hair may be used. Head hair refers exclusively to scalp hair, whereas body hair encompasses all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four essential stages in lab processing of a drug result are Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning consists of the initial setup of a sample within a lab's framework. This step includes checking that the sample was correctly sealed and delivered, assigning a LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and filling in any further data entry that an electronic custody system might lack.
Screening acts as a preliminary check to identify potential drug use. While Screening is cost-efficient for ruling out drug use in most samples, confirmed results are required for courtroom acceptance. Samples that are initially positive in Screening must undergo further confirmation.
Should a sample appear positive at the Screening stage, additional hair is taken from the original sample for Extraction. During Extraction, drugs are separated from hair at much lower concentrations than in other tests like urine or oral fluid, highlighting the complexity of hair drug testing.
Confirmation of any positive results from Screening involves GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. Any presumptive positives are cleansed before confirmation if necessary. The entire lab workflow from Accessioning to Confirmation is audited under CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair accreditation and ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: The term "hair follicle tests" is misleading, as the examination focuses on the hair strand rather than the follicle beneath the scalp.
Why Choose Hair Follicle Testing Over Urine Testing In Waller, TX, hair testing has distinct advantages compared to traditional urine tests.
Extended Detection Window Advantages Hair follicle testing in Waller, TX offers an extended detection period of up to 90 days.
Ensuring Test Integrity In Waller, TX, hair follicle tests dramatically reduce the risk of sample tampering.
Accessibility and Convenience in Testing In Waller, TX, with our widespread testing centers, access to drug testing services is both convenient and straightforward.
Simplifying the Testing Experience In Waller, TX, the hair follicle testing process is straightforward and private.
Value and Efficiency for All In Waller, TX, hair follicle drug testing offers competitive pricing and quick result turnarounds.
The Speed and Precision of Hair Testing In Waller, TX, hair follicle drug tests stand out for their rapid and precise detection of substance use.
Compliance and Legal Assurance for Employers Adopting hair follicle testing in Waller, TX ensures that employers comply with drug-free workplace policies.
