HomeAnswersToxicologyhairWhat is the connection between urine drug test and hair follicle test?

Please advice the relation between urine drug test and hair follicle test.

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Nithila. A

Published At August 9, 2019
Reviewed AtJanuary 4, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am trying to figure out the conversation between levels on a urine drug test and a hair follicle test. For example, Urine test: 505 ng/ml. THCA. Hair test: 5.95 pg/mg THCA . If there were 32.6 ng/ml cocaine metabolite detected in a urine test, how might that show in a hair drug test? There seems to be a correlation between the THCA levels, but I cannot figure out what the connection might be?

Answered by Dr. Arul Amuthan L

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. In the urine, the metabolites are detected as it is directly coming out from the blood. I mean, it gives a day to day excretion of the metabolite, that is directly proportional to the amount of the specific drug or metabolite in the blood. Whereas, the metabolites or drugs in the hair tells the history of any drug or chemical usage. As we know, the growth of hair is very, minimal daily. Certain chemicals or drugs or metabolites can get accumulated in the hair on a long term basis. So, if we could find the THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) in hair, it is telling the past blood concentration or usage of the THCA. Thus, the hair value may not usually proportional to urine values. I hope I have answered

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Arul Amuthan L
Dr. Arul Amuthan L

Pharmacology

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