Lab results - split sample - metabolite loses strength ?

[mindblown]

Ok I have a multi part question. The drug test program we have at work is SAMHSA. A buddy did coke and he said the test was 3 days later. They called him and told him he failed the test. We are thinking he may have been right over the cut off since it was the 3rd day. He is waiting for the actual lab results to see.

He requested that his split sample be tested at another lab. The original sample was collected on July 9. They are supposed to test the split sample I assume soemtime next week so the sample will be about 11 or more days old when tested at the other lab.

My questions is what are the chances of the test coming back negative at the second lab? I know there is always a chance but is this slim to none?

Also would the metabolite they test for with coke lose its potency because the sample has sat up for that long and possibly not test as a positive because it is weaker or is that not the way it works?

He is doing all of the paperwork challenges and stuff but we are trying to figure out the chances of the second sample coming up negative. They can only fire him if the split tests positive.

[highrlearning]

i don't know if a previously collected sample can "lose" potency; i was under the impression that whatever is present at the time of collection will be there at a later date (as long as they store/transport the sample properly). but not really sure about that (strictly an opinion). however, i dont know what type of job this is or what state its in but where i live, if a test comes up positive you have to be given a second test & allowed to submitt a new sample to confirm the results. hope it works out for you. good luck!!

[mindblown]

Thanks for the reply. First hearing was today. I went with him. We are in Louisiana. The test has to comply with SAMHSA federal guidelines.

The lawyer representing him made several arguments and challenges to the results. They are waiting for the the split sample results to come back. I'm now trying to figure out about how they figure the tests. I read SAMHSA and it says the cut off is 300NG for the initial test and 150 NG on the confirmation when testing sample A. They did not say which cut off level they used for the initial test only that it tested positive for the prescence of coke. Then then came back with the confirmatory test of using a cut off of 150NG. He tested 170NG on the confirmatory test. It did not give any levels for the initial test. So it is all still in limbo. I still have the questions about the split sample losing potency but this thing may be over if we can figure out if the first test would show 170NG also because that means that they did not use the level of 300 for the initial test and it should have been a negative if done by SAMHSA guidelines. Therefore if this is the case he should walk. I just have to have learn if the levels from the initial test are measured different than the confirmatory test.

Another words what I'm hoping is that the initial test would show the cut off as 300NG and his levels as 170NG and the confirmatory test that should not have been done would have a cut off of 150NG and he showed 170NG if the same way of measurements is used in both cut offs or tests then he walks.

[mindblown]

Ok a better way to phrase the question.

If you have a specimen and you test half of it with a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and the other half with an immunoassay test would they both test with the same levels i.e. 170NG or would each test produce a different measurement?

[mindblown]

update:

For future readers it appears samples do degrade but depending on how the lab runs the test will decide if it comes up positive. Below is the SAMHSA (federal) guideline rules about retesting a sample where it addresses a sample degrading in storage.


(j) Retesting a Specimen for Drugs.


(1) A second laboratory shall use its confirmatory drug test when retesting an aliquot of a single specimen or testing a split (Bottle B) specimen for the drug or drug metabolite that was reported positive in the single specimen or the primary (Bottle A) specimen by the first laboratory.


(2) Because some drugs or drug metabolites may deteriorate during storage, the retest of an aliquot of a single specimen or the test of a split (Bottle B) specimen is not subject to a specific drug cutoff requirement, but must provide data sufficient to confirm the presence of the drug or metabolite.


(3) If the second laboratory fails to reconfirm the presence of the drug or drug metabolite that was reported by the first laboratory, the second laboratory shall attempt to determine the reason for not reconfirming the presence of the drug or drug metabolite by conducting specimen validity tests. The second laboratory shall conduct the same

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specimen validity tests it would conduct on a single specimen or a primary (Bottle A) specimen. The second laboratory reports all test results to the MRO.

[Mydriasis]

Did he do coke frequently? If so that 2-3 day cut-off thing becomes worthless cuz it can stay in your body for a while. Much luck but I don't know what else to say.