How Far Back Can a Nail Drug Test Detect Drug Use?
Urine testing is commonly used for drug screening, but it isn't always the right test when someone needs to evaluate a longer history of potential drug exposure.
One alternative is nail drug testing.
Fingernails and toenails grow slowly. As they grow, certain drug metabolites can become incorporated into the nail material, allowing laboratory analysis to look for evidence of drug exposure over a longer period.
What Is a Nail Drug Test?
A nail drug test uses nail clippings rather than urine, saliva or blood.
The specimen is collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Depending upon the panel ordered, the laboratory can screen for multiple drug classes.
Bluestar Diagnostics currently offers multiple nail-testing panels, including 10-panel, 15-panel and 16-panel options.
What Is the Detection Window for Nail Drug Testing?
Nail testing is often selected specifically because of its extended look-back period.
Bluestar's current 9-panel nail drug-test service identifies a six-month detection window.
However, detection is affected by factors including nail growth, specimen quality, substance tested and individual patterns of exposure.
A nail test should therefore not be interpreted as identifying the precise day a substance was used.
Nail Drug Testing vs. Urine Testing
Urine drug testing is generally more useful when the goal is detecting relatively recent drug exposure.
Nail testing may be more appropriate when the requesting party wants a longer historical window.
The right test depends on why testing is being performed.
What Can Nail Drug Testing Be Used For?
Nail testing may be considered for situations involving:
- Court or legal requirements
- Personal testing
- Substance-use monitoring
- Certain workplace or compliance situations
- Situations requiring a longer detection period
- Cases where an adequate hair specimen isn't available
If an attorney, court, employer or other organization has ordered your test, follow their specific specimen and panel requirements.
What Drugs Can Be Included?
The substances tested depend on the panel selected.
For example, Bluestar's current 15-panel nail test includes drug classes/substances such as amphetamines, THC, cocaine, opiates, PCP, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methadone, oxycodone, fentanyl and others.
The broader 16-panel option includes an additional analyte.
Where Can I Get a Nail Drug Test in Dallas or Plano?
Bluestar Diagnostics provides professional specimen collection and multiple drug-testing options for individuals, employers and other testing needs.
If you've been asked to complete a nail test, bring any documentation specifying the required panel so the appropriate test can be selected.
Contact Bluestar Diagnostics for nail drug testing in Plano or Dallas!