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Does Hair Drug Test Produce Accurate Result For Methamphetamine Abuse?

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Posted on Wed, 16 Jul 2014
Question: Hi, I am a Med Tech, but unfamiliar with the hair testing process. We mainly run urine and blood samples from ER patients. An issue has come up about a mother of 2 small children, thinking she can use the excuse of prescription Adderall to explain the methamphetamines in her testing. Now I know this would be true if just for blood and urine testing. However, I just read an article that states hair testing specifically does Not test for Adderall's metabolites, and will bring up the positive for street amphetamines such as Methamphetamine. Is this correct?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Srikanth Reddy (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You are right

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for using Health care Magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and you are right in what you have searched.
Urine and blood can many times show cross reaction to the substance of abuse and its metabolites. But hair testing is specific for the substance ingested and will not show meth amphetamines positive if she is on adderall. Further the hair shows positive results for a much longer period after the patient has stopped taking the substance and this way is more sensitive and specific to the testing.
I would suggest that if possible try testing the hair for the drugs and if found positive, you have the answer.
Hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Srikanth Reddy

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2770 Questions

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Does Hair Drug Test Produce Accurate Result For Methamphetamine Abuse?

Brief Answer: You are right Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for using Health care Magic for posting your query. I have gone through your question in detail and you are right in what you have searched. Urine and blood can many times show cross reaction to the substance of abuse and its metabolites. But hair testing is specific for the substance ingested and will not show meth amphetamines positive if she is on adderall. Further the hair shows positive results for a much longer period after the patient has stopped taking the substance and this way is more sensitive and specific to the testing. I would suggest that if possible try testing the hair for the drugs and if found positive, you have the answer. Hope I am able to answer your concerns. If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you. If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback. In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link: bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy Wish you good health, Kind regards Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.