What does a 5 panel hair follicle test for
Understanding What a 5 Panel Hair Follicle Test For Detects and Its Benefits
What does a 5 panel hair follicle test for? This test detects five common drug classes in hair samples, providing a reliable 90-day detection window. It is used by employers, courts, and individuals for accurate drug screening. Call (877) 731-6362 to schedule testing or learn more.
What does a 5 panel hair follicle test for?
A 5 panel hair follicle test screens for five specific drug categories by analyzing a small hair sample. The test detects drug metabolites embedded in the hair shaft, reflecting drug use over approximately 90 days.
The five drug classes commonly tested include marijuana (THC), cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and phencyclidine (PCP). This test is valued for its extended detection period compared to urine or saliva tests.
How long does a 5 panel hair follicle test detect drugs?
A 5 panel hair follicle test detects drug use for up to 90 days prior to sample collection. Hair grows about half an inch per month, and the standard 1.5-inch sample captures approximately three months of drug exposure.
This long detection window makes hair follicle testing suitable for monitoring long-term drug use patterns rather than recent or one-time use.
How is the 5 panel hair follicle test conducted?
The collection involves cutting a small hair sample close to the scalp, typically from the crown. The sample is then sent to one of five national labs: Quest Diagnostics, LabCorp, Omega Labs, United States Drug Testing Labs, or ExperTox.
AMH Nationwide coordinates the lab order and directs the requester to a nearby collection site. There is no online ordering; to schedule, call (877) 731-6362. After initial screening, any positive results are reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer.
Who orders a 5 panel hair follicle test and why?
Employers use the 5 panel hair follicle test for pre-employment screening and random drug testing, especially when long-term drug use verification is required. Courts and probation agencies may also require this test for monitoring compliance.
Individuals may request this test for personal monitoring or legal purposes. It is not approved for Department of Transportation (DOT) safety-sensitive positions, which require federally certified urine testing under 49 CFR Part 40.
Schedule Your 5 Panel Hair Follicle Test Today
To arrange testing or for more information about what a 5 panel hair follicle test for detects, call (877) 731-6362. AMH Nationwide directs you to a convenient collection site and ensures professional lab processing.
Can passive exposure affect what a 5 panel hair follicle test for detects?
Passive exposure to drugs is unlikely to produce positive results on a 5 panel hair follicle test because the test detects drug metabolites incorporated into the hair shaft from bloodstream circulation, not external contamination.
Laboratories follow strict protocols to wash and prepare hair samples to remove external contaminants. This ensures the test results reflect actual drug ingestion rather than environmental exposure.
What happens if a 5 panel hair follicle test is non-negative?
If the initial screening shows a non-negative result, the sample undergoes confirmatory testing using advanced methods like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A certified Medical Review Officer reviews all non-negative results before reporting.
This process ensures accuracy and provides an opportunity for the tested individual to explain legitimate medical or legal reasons for the result.
Common Questions
Typically, about 1.5 inches of hair closest to the scalp is collected, which represents approximately 90 days of drug use history.
No, hair follicle testing generally does not detect drug use within the last 5-7 days due to the time it takes for drugs to incorporate into the hair shaft.
The test detects specific drug classes, not all medications. Legitimate prescriptions containing tested substances can be disclosed to the Medical Review Officer for evaluation.
Yes, many courts, probation agencies, and employers accept this test for its extended detection window and reliability.
Results typically take several days to one week, depending on the laboratory and confirmatory testing requirements.
AMH Nationwide coordinates lab orders and directs clients to collection sites but does not offer online ordering. Call (877) 731-6362 to schedule.
Ready to get started?
AMH Nationwide provides the lab order and arranges collection nationwide. Every non-negative result reviewed by a certified Medical Review Officer. Call (877) 731-6362 or contact us.