Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
The use of hair testing is increasingly acknowledged as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair can capture a long-term record of substances by embedding biomarkers in the growing strands. If collected near the scalp, hair offers a detection timeframe of up to roughly 3 months for both alcohol and drugs. Collecting hair is straightforward, somewhat resistant to tampering, and simple to send.
To obtain the optimal sample for analysis, a 1.5-inch section consisting of approximately 200 hair strands (the diameter of a #2 pencil), cut close to the scalp, is ideal, yielding 100mg. For EtG, additional testing, and panels beyond 10, a total of 150mg is advisable. Using a jeweler’s scale for measurement is suggested. Should scalp hair be inaccessible, an equivalent quantity of body hair can be collected. Note that 'head hair' refers specifically to scalp hair, whereas 'body hair' encompasses all other types such as facial and axillary hair.
Process Overview
The laboratory processing of a drug test result is composed of four key stages: Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning is the initial phase in which a sample is integrated into a lab’s system. It involves ensuring the sample was properly sealed and shipped, assigning a random Laboratory Accessioning Number (LAN), and completing any missing information not entered through an electronic chain of custody process.
Screening serves as a preliminary test to detect drug presence. While it is a cost-efficient method to rule out drug use in most samples, any positive results require confirmation to be court-admissible. Samples testing presumptively positive in Screening necessitate further verification.
If a sample tests presumptively positive during Screening, additional hair is retrieved from the original sample for the Extraction phase. Here, substances are extracted from hair at significantly lower concentrations than other testing methods (e.g., urine or oral fluids), highlighting the complexity of hair drug screening.
For any positive screening outcome, Confirmation is performed using methods like GC/MS, GC/MS/MS, or LC/MS/MS. All samples flagged as presumptive positives undergo necessary washing before Confirmation. The complete laboratory process, from Accessioning to Confirmation, is validated by the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair criteria and compliance with ISO / IEC 17025 accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Although colloquially termed "hair follicle tests", the assessment actually evaluates the hair strand itself, not the follicle beneath the scalp.
When comparing hair follicle testing to urine tests, the former emerges as a superior choice in Lowry, MN. Hair tests offer enhanced detection accuracy, capturing a wider drug-use window.
In Lowry, MN, the extended detection window of hair follicle testing is a significant benefit. Unlike other methods, it unveils a comprehensive view of substance use history.
Hair follicle tests in Lowry, MN reduce the risk of tampering compared to other methods. Their tamper-resistant nature ensures more reliable and credible results.
Our widespread network, including locations in Lowry, MN, ensures convenient access to drug screening services, offering hassle-free testing nationwide.
Our process in Lowry, MN ensures a simple and confidential approach to hair follicle testing, focusing on privacy and ease for all parties involved.
Accredited Drug Testing offers cost-effective pricing and rapid turnaround times in Lowry, MN, providing companies with excellent value for their investment.
The hair follicle drug test in Lowry, MN is recognized for its swift and accurate results. This advanced testing method stands out for its precision in detecting a wide range of substances, leading to reliable conclusions.
Employers in Lowry, MN can ensure compliance with drug-free workplace policies through hair follicle testing. This method enhances workplace safety and reduces legal risks.
