Urine| Hair Follicle | Oral Fluid | Blood | ETG
Hair analysis has become recognized as an effective method for identifying drug and alcohol consumption. Hair retains a prolonged history of substances by encapsulating biomarkers within the strands' fibers. When sourced near the scalp, hair can reveal usage up to a timeframe of about 3 months for alcohol and drugs. Hair collection is straightforward, relatively hard to tamper with, and simple to transport.
A 1.5-inch segment of roughly 200 hair strands (approximately the diameter of a #2 pencil) closest to the scalp provides 100mg, the optimal sample for both screening and confirmation. For EtG, additional tests, and/or analyses exceeding 10 panels, a specimen of 150mg is suggested. It is advised to measure the specimen using a jeweler’s scale. If scalp hair is absent, a comparable quantity of body hair may be gathered. When referencing head hair, it pertains strictly to scalp hair. Body hair denotes all other hair forms (facial, axillary, etc.).
Process Overview
The four primary phases in the lab handling of a drug test result include Accessioning, Screening, Extraction, and Confirmation.
Accessioning entails the initial handling of a specimen into a lab’s system. This process involves confirming that the sample is sealed and transported correctly, assigning a random LAN (Laboratory Accessioning Number), and finalizing any further data entry not covered by an electronic chain of custody system.
Screening consists of a preliminary rapid check for substances of abuse. Although Screening is a budget-friendly method to exclude drug use on most specimens, a positive result must be confirmed for it to be valid in court. Any samples that test presumptively positive during Screening require an additional confirmation.
Should a sample test presumptively positive during Screening, further hair is extracted from the original specimen and processed for Extraction. In this stage, substances are isolated from hair at notably lower concentrations than other methods (e.g., urine or oral fluid), which renders hair drug analysis the most challenging technique.
Confirmation of any positive Screening result is achieved through GC/MS, GC/MS/MS or LC/MS/MS. All presumptive positive specimens undergo washing before confirmation as necessary. The complete laboratory process from Accessioning to Confirmation is evaluated under both the CAP (College of American Pathologists) Hair designation and the ISO / IEC 17025 standards accreditation.
Advantages of hair drug testing:
Limitations:
Note: Despite being called "hair follicle tests", the analysis is conducted on the hair strand and not on the follicle beneath the scalp
Why Hair Follicle Testing Beats Urine Testing in Cross Plains, TN, is clear given the many advantages. Hair follicle testing offers superior detection accuracy and reliability compared to urine testing.
Extended Detection Window in Cross Plains, TN, makes hair follicle testing stand out, offering a detection window of up to 90 days. This extended time frame ensures:
Tamper-Resistant Testing Method assures reliable results. In Cross Plains, TN, hair follicle tests minimize adulteration risks. Key benefits include:
Convenient Nationwide Testing Locations, including Cross Plains, TN, make testing accessible. Our centers are designed to offer quick and hassle-free access.
Simple, Confidential Process ensures privacy and ease. In Cross Plains, TN, our hair follicle testing is straightforward.
Affordable Pricing and Fast Turnaround are key in Cross Plains, TN. We offer competitive pricing with rapid results.
Fast, Accurate, and Reliable Results are crucial, and in Cross Plains, TN, hair follicle drug tests are unmatched. Their precision speed in identifying substance use is remarkable.
Compliance and Peace of Mind for Employers is vital in Cross Plains, TN. Utilizing hair follicle testing aids in ensuring a drug-free workplace.
