Type of test Blood or saliva

 Normal findings

 No THC metabolites detected

 Test explanation and related physiology

 Cannabis, also referred to as marijuana, is a plant of the species Cannabis sativa that has psychoactive effects. Marijuana contains many chemical compounds, called cannabinoids, that interact with the body. The main mind-altering cannabinoid in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). The body breaks THC down into several inactive metabolites (e.g., THC COOH, 11-nor-carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). Because the metabolites of THC stay in the body for a longer period of time than THC does, substance abuse testing detects the presence of THC-COOH or other metabolites in urine.

This test detects the active compound THC using blood or saliva. Marijuana leaves can be smoked, prepared and eaten in food products, or ingested as a tincture. Natural and synthetic forms or purified forms of THC and other cannabinoids are available as prescription medications that can be taken by mouth, inhaled, or sprayed under the tongue. Anything that contains THC has the potential to be detected as THC or THC-COOH in a marijuana test. Because of the accuracy and validity inherent in blood and saliva testing, this test is considered more accurate than screening the urine for cannabis metabolites. Advantages of saliva testing are that it can be done anytime, saliva is immediately available, and it can be done in front of the person collecting the specimen. This makes saliva tests difficult to falsify and reduces the potential for cheating.

With marijuana legalization in some areas, some clinics, emergency rooms, and hospitals are no longer including marijuana testing in their drug-testing panels. However, this test is used if an individual:

• Is being treated in an addiction recovery or chemical dependency program

• Is being treated for chronic pain, to ensure that the person is taking medication as prescribed

 • Is involved in an accident that an emergency room physician suspects may be due to drug intoxication

• Is suspected of drug abuse or is known to use illegal drugs

• Is pregnant or has recently given birth, especially if the patient is thought to be at risk for drug abuse or has a newborn baby exhibiting certain characteristic behaviors

 • Is an applicant for a life insurance policy, as this is part of an overall health evaluation

• Is being evaluated through employment drug testing

 Drug testing for legal, forensic, or employment purposes requires a strictly controlled sample collection with the custody of a sample continuously documented to maintain a legal “chain of custody.”

Detection times for marijuana vary widely depending on an individual’s metabolism, the dose, and frequency of use. Testing can indicate use anywhere from 3 days to more than 30 days prior to testing. Heavy users of marijuana may test positive for even longer than 30 days after last use.

Procedure and patient care

 Before

 • Be sure that the patient is aware of all of his or her legal rights regarding testing.

 During

 • See inside front cover for Routine Blood Testing.

• Fasting: No

• Blood tube commonly used: Red, grey, green, or lavender

• For saliva testing, a small swab is placed in the mouth. When soaked, it is placed into a device for analysis.

After

 • Ensure the “chain of custody” is maintained throughout the sample handling process.

Abnormal findings

THC use

اخر الاخبار

اخبار العتبة العباسية المقدسة

قسم صناعة الشبابيك يستعرض أعماله للمشاركين في البرنامج المركزي الأسبوعي

جامعة الكفيل تنظم حملة للتبرع بالدم للأطفال المصابين بالثلاسيميا والأورام السرطانية

قسم الشؤون الفكرية يصدر العدد 55 من مجلة العميد المحكمة

المجمع العلمي يجري اختبار القبول للمتقدمين إلى دورة ربيع القرآن في كربلاء

المزيد

الآخبار الصحية

كنز غذائي على طبقك.. ماذا تفعل السبانخ بجسمك؟

ما لا يتوقعه أحد.. "سر غذائي" في الجبن الدسم

لتحسين الهضم والنوم.. هذا أفضل وقت لتناول العشاء

10 طرق بسيطة وغير مألوفة لحرق المزيد من السعرات يوميا

المزيد

الآخبار التكنلوجية

سابقة بعالم الطيران.. طائرة تقرر الهبوط بنفسها بعد ظرف طارئ

"الإنفلونزا الخارقة" تكتسح دول العالم.. وتثير قلقا كبيرا

مرحلة ما قبل الأعراض.. دواء جديد يستهدف "شرارة" الزهايمر

إزالة ثاني أكسيد الكربون من الغلاف الجوي.. ما دور المحيطات والبحار؟

المزيد

مواضيع ذات صلة

lung cancer molecular testing (AKT1, ALK, BRAF, Epidermal growth factor [EGFR], HER2, KRAS, MEK1, MET, NRAS, PIK3CA, RET, and ROS1)

kidney stone analysis (Urinary stone analysis, Renal calculus analysis)

Variability and Standardization of CSF Examination

Lab Diagnosis of Yellow fever

hexosaminidase (Hexosaminidase A, Hex A, Total hexosaminidase, Hexosaminidase A and B)

hemoglobin electrophoresis (Hgb electrophoresis)

growth hormone stimulation test (GH provocation test, Insulin tolerance test [ITT], Arginine test, Glucagon Stimulation test)

Markers of Bone Resorption: Amino and Carboxy-Terminal Telopeptides of Collagen Type I

Markers of Bone Resorption: Collagen Cross-Links

Bone Formation Markers : Osteocalcin

Diagnosis of Prion Disease

gallium scan