AMH Hair Follicle Drug Tests
While urine drug screens offer a great method of monitoring drug use, the window period they cover is often too limited. Cocaine and prescription medications, for example, are currently highly abused drugs and they are typically detectable in urine for only a brief amount of time. For past consumption a hair follicle test is often recommended. When drugs are ingested they are carried through the bloodstream and eventually reach the hair, where they are embedded in the hair follicle. These metabolites will remain in the hair for an extended amount of time, providing up to a 90-day window period for drug detection.
What to expect at the lab:
The process at the lab is very simple. In most cases there are no long lines to wait in and no paperwork to fill out. Simply present your AMH issued registration number, provide a photo ID (driver’s license, passport, and in some cases school ID), then provide the specimen.
The collector only needs a small amount of hair (90-120 strands), which is collected directly from the scalp. This collection does not leave any visible spots or changes in appearance, and because the entire collection is done by a professional there is a minimal chance for specimen adulteration or substitution.
Hair follicle testing typically results out in 3-5 business days; however, this time may be shorter or longer depending on certain circumstances. AMH will be happy to call as soon as results are available, provided a donor’s contact number is available, or the donor may simply call a counselor to access his/her results. Hard copies of test results can also be sent at the donor’s request.
Testing Method:
The initial screening tests by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Confirmation testing is done by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) confirmation for presumptive positive screens.
5 panel Hair Follicle Drug Screening:
Tests for: Amphetamines, THC (Marijuana), Cocaine, Opiates, and PCP.
Many commonly abused prescription medications (Vicodin, oxycodone, Xanax, valium, etc.) are not checked for in the common 5 panel test. If these types of drugs are suspected you may consider one of the panels listed below.
Detection time: up to 3 months of prior usage.
5 Panel Hair Follicle Drug Screening with Expanded Opiates and MDMA
Tests for: Amphetamines, THC (Marijuana), Cocaine, Expanded Opiates, and PCP.
The traditional 5 panel hair follicle primarily detects the opiates codeine, morphine, and heroin. The expanded screening will also detect oxycodone, hydrocodone, oxymorphone, and hydromorphone. The amphetamine portion of this screening is also expanded to detect the drugs MDA and MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy or Molly.
Detection time: up to 3 months of prior usage.
9 Panel Hair Follicle Drug Screening:
Tests for: Amphetamines, THC (Marijuana), Cocaine, Opiates, PCP, Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates, Propoxyphene, and Methadone.
Detection time: up to 3 months of prior usage.
12 Panel Hair Follicle Drug Screening:
Tests for: Amphetamines, THC (Marijuana), Cocaine, Opiates, PCP, Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates, Propoxyphene, Tramadol, Meperidine/Demerol, Methaqualone, and Methadone.
Detection time: up to 3 months of prior usage.
14 Panel Hair Follicle Drug Screening:
Tests for: Amphetamines, THC (Marijuana), Cocaine, Opiates, PCP, Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates, Propoxyphene, Tramadol, Meperidine/Demerol, Methaqualone, Methadone, Fentanyl, and Sufentanil.
Detection time: up to 3 months of prior usage.
At-Home Hair Testing Kits:
Maybe the nearest collection site is too far away, or maybe you have someone you’d like to test without them knowing? Whatever your reason you can’t make it to a collection site, we can help. We offer at home testing kits for the 5 Panel and 5 Panel + Expanded Opiate hair follicle testing. We mail you the collection kit, you collect and mail the specimen, and then results return within 3-5 business days. It’s that simple.
***These tests are for personal use only. The donor’s identity cannot be verified, so the lab will report results as an “anonymous donor.”***
Six Month and One Year Hair Follicle Testing:
Traditionally a hair test will provide approximately three months of detection. However, it is possible to both extend and lessen this detection window. How far we can go back all depends on the length of the donor’s head hair. If the donor has long enough hair we can provide testing that goes back six months to a year – or even longer.
Alternatively, if you need a test that won’t quite cover a three month window we can accommodate that as well. By requesting that the lab only test a limited section of the specimen we can reduce the detection window to only a month or two.
Testing a teen or family member:
When parents are concerned about their teen engaging in drug use, it often involves past drug use. Unfortunately a urine drug screen may not always detect past usage, which presents the option for a false negative test result. To avoid this, a hair follicle drug test may be used.
Hair follicle testing cannot be performed at every location. In most cases we can provide testing the same day. In some cases we may have to make special arrangements which may take 1 or 2 days.
Results take about 3 to 5 days, but can take as long as 7 days if the results need to be confirmed.
How it Works
Call 1-866-927-5264
to discuss testing arrangements and find the nearest location. We can make sure you are not testing too early or taking tests that you may not need.
Get tested. Have specimen collected confidentially as soon as the same day you call.
Talk to a real person and get test results as early as the next morning. We can answer your questions and provide an official lab report.
Compare Test Prices
Know before you go. Our prices are up front, reasonable and most often much less than our competition. Check out how our STD testing prices compare with the competition.
