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Hair Testing FAQ

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Noble Diagnostics’ testing process is extremely accurate and uses industry-leading processes, as well as state-of-the-art equipment. Noble Diagnostics holds all major industry-recognized certifications and accreditations for hair drug testing laboratories.

Noble Diagnostics Inc., is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), certified by CLIA, and fully licensed by the State of Ohio and New York State to perform forensic drug testing. Noble Diagnostics’ Hair Chain of Custody protocols exactly follows (as appropriate) those mandated by the Federal Government. From the time of collection, through each step of the analytical process (opening accessioning, screening reliquoting, GC/MS confirmation, and final results interpretation),a complete paper trail is maintains such that each individual coming in contact with the sample must sign the ICOC documents as well as each chemist must initial his/her portion of the work preformed.

  • How much hair is required to conduct an accurate drug test?
    Noble Diagnostics usually requires an undetectable lock of hair preferably snipped from the back of the head, just below the crown. The amount needed is approximately one (1) centimeter wide.
  • What drugs are included in a standard hair folicile drug test?
    Cocaine, marijuana, opiates (including heroin, codeine, morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone and hydromorphone), methamphetamine, Ecstasy (MDMA), Eve (MDEA) and phencyclidine (PCP).
  • How soon after drug use can a drug be detected in a hair folicle drug test?
    It takes approximately 5-7 days from the time of drug use for the portion of the hair containing that drug to grow above the scalp.
  • Can hair-based drug tests be run on people with little or no hair?
    Yes. Hair can be collected from several locations on the head and combined to obtain the required amount of hair. If head hair is not available, certain body hair can be used as an alternative.
  • How do drugs get into the hair?
    After you ingest a drug, the substance itself or metabolites that are produced as the drug is processed by your body are deposited from your bloodstream into the hair shaft via the hair follicle.
  • Can body hair be drug tested?
    Yes: if, for any reason, a person’s head hair can’t be tested, the second option is body hair from the underarm, chest or back.
  • What is the turnaround time?
    The laboratory receives the samples via overnight courier. Preparation of the sample for testing is performed the day the samples arrive and the initial test is completed overnight. Negative screening results are typically reported within 24 hours of specimen receipt. Positive results are confirmed, reviewed, and typically reported within 48-72 hours of receipt.
  • Can hair testing detect Ecstasy?
    Yes, Ecstasy is reported under the “Amphetamines” group.
  • Can hair testing detect Oxycodone or other semi-synthetic opiates?
    Yes. Upon request, a customer’s testing panel may also include confirmatory testing for semi-synthetic opiates (hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone).
  • How long do the results stay in the system?
    The results stay in our system for a minimum of 5 years.
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