Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair testing is regarded as an effective mechanism for detecting drug and alcohol consumption. Hair offers a comprehensive history of alcohol and drug intake by capturing indicators within the fibers of the maturing hair strand. When gathered near the scalp, hair can indicate usage for up to roughly a 3-month span for alcohol and other substances. Hair is straightforward to collect, relatively tough to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment consisting of about 200 hair strands (similar in size to a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp will yield 100mg of hair, which is the optimal sample for analysis and verification. For EtG extensions, and/or assessments beyond 10 panels, 150mg of the specimen is advisable. We propose using a jeweler’s scale for weighing the specimen. If scalp hair cannot be provided, a comparable amount of body hair can be used. When mentioning head hair, we mean scalp hair only. Body hair includes all other types (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The process in a lab for handling a drug test outcome consists of four primary steps: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial integration of a sample into a lab’s database. It entails confirming proper sealing and shipment of the sample, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and completing any extra data necessary beyond what an electronic chain of custody system offers.
Screening is a preliminary rapid check for illicit drugs. While Screening is cost-efficient for eliminating drug use on most samples, a confirmed screen is necessary for court validity. Any samples suggesting positivity in Screening necessitate subsequent verification.
Should a sample imply positivity in Screening, additional hair is taken from the original specimen for Extraction. Here, substances are extracted from hair at much lower concentrations compared to other techniques (e.g., urine or oral fluid), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
Any positive screening outcome is confirmed through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS technology. All suspected positive samples undergo washing before confirmation as needed. The comprehensive lab process from Accessioning to Confirmation is overseen under the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and complies with ISO / IEC 17025 standards.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although commonly termed as "hair follicle tests", the test itself analyzes the hair strand and not the follicle below the scalp.
Why Hair Follicle Testing Excels Over Urine Testing in Carp Lake, MI
Extended Detection Window in Carp Lake, MI
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method in Carp Lake, MI
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations and Local Locations in Carp Lake, MI
Simple, Confidential Process in Carp Lake, MI
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround in Carp Lake, MI
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results in Carp Lake, MI
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