![]() ![]() Therefore, one cannot assume that the actual level number in comparison to the confirm cutoff level indicates anything other than the specimen tested positive for the presence of the drug indicated. Every person’s body reacts and metabolizes drugs at different speeds and quantities making it impossible to compare one drug user to another using a single test to see who is the heavier drug user. The numeric drug test level DOES NOT indicate a severity of use of the drug or metabolite detected, it merely provides a quantitative (numeric) value to the level of substance found at the time of testing. Levels that are close to (but above) the confirm cutoff level are not considered “almost negative” – they indicate a positive drug test. A drug test result that reports as a positive test is a positive test. “ By itself, the level found on a positive drug test result means absolutely nothing.”Ī common mistake people make is to compare the actual drug test levels to the confirm cutoff number thinking this will give them some degree of severity of use of a substance. By itself, the level found on a positive drug test result means absolutely nothing. This number can and will vary day to day, person to person, test by test and report by report. The only thing this number reflects is that there is an amount of drug or drug metabolite that was found in the specimen being tested at the time of the specimen collection. This number is also the most misunderstood and misused number in the whole result reporting process of drug testing. This level simply provides a numeric level of detection of a specific drug or metabolite. A positive result for a specific drug or metabolite will demonstrate at a certain level called the test level or actual level. Unlike the screening level that screens the overall drug class, laboratory confirmation testing analyzes specific drugs and drug metabolites within a specimen and delivers a positive or negative result for each individual drug and/or metabolite being tested. Testing at the confirmation level uses highly specialized and calibrated equipment and processes. This cutoff level may be different (different level number) from the screening cutoff because the testing process at the confirmation level is completely different. The confirm cutoff is a predetermined cutoff level that is established prior to the laboratory testing of a specimen. Sample Urine Drug Test Result: CONFIRM CUTOFF LEVEL Most laboratories follow the cutoff levels recommended by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), but this does not guarantee that the cutoff levels established and used meet these recommendations. Screen cutoff levels will vary depending on the specimen type (urine, hair, saliva, nails) as well as the established cutoffs used by the testing laboratory. If the specimen tested goes above this predetermined cutoff level for a drug class or panel, the specimen fails the screening process and moves on to the confirmation or laboratory testing process. SCREEN CUTOFF LEVELĪ screen cutoff is a predetermined cutoff level of an overall drug class or panel that is established prior to the initial screening of the specimen. Not all drug panels are the same – especially when dealing with different laboratories. ![]() For example, an opiate (OPI) panel from Lab A may include codeine, hydrocodone and morphine where as Lab B’s opiate panel may include codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone and fentanyl. The exact drugs within a drug panel may also vary depending on the laboratory. The panel may include one or more specific drugs or drug metabolites. It is important to note that the testing methods in the screening process test an overall drug class known as a drug panel. The screening process tests for a number of compounds that fall within a given drug class or panel. They are: screen cutoff level, confirm cutoff level and actual level (also known as test level).Īll specimens undergo an initial screening process to determine if a specimen may contain a substance of interest. There are three types of “levels” found on a typical drug test result report. One of the most misunderstood and confusing aspects of drug testing – especially when it comes to drug test results – surrounds the term “levels.” Understanding what levels mean in the drug testing process requires an understanding of how drug testing is performed to begin with and what final results really mean. ![]()
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