Friday, May 12, 2023

5 Panel Drug Test

 

5 Panel Drug Test What is it?

The most popular sort of drug test offered to both individuals and companies is the five-panel test. A  5-panel drug test is a great choice for employers wishing to implement a trustworthy drug testing program because it is frequently utilized by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and other Federal tests.  The five-panel drug test is frequently used for random drug testing.



The following drugs are detected by five-panel drug screens:

·                 Marijuana/Cannabis (THC)

·               Cocaine (COC)

·             Phencyclidine (PCP)

·           Amphetamines (AMP)

·         Opiates (OPI)

Marijuana/Cannabis (THC)

The substance for which people test positive for drugs the most frequently is marijuana, commonly known as tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. It only appears naturally and in the cannabis plant, often known as marijuana. Under the brand name Marinol, a pharmaceutical formulation that is essentially synthetic THC is sold only by prescription. Marijuana comes in a variety of forms, including dried flower buds, hash, oil, and baked goods like cookies and brownies. Users can either consume the baked items or smoke the hash, oil, or dried buds. Cannabis has modest to moderate analgesic effects when consumed or inhaled. This might result in feelings of anxiety or paranoia as well as sensations of relaxation and exhilaration. Because marijuana changes the release of transmitters in the periaqueductal grey (PAG) and the dorsal root ganglion in the spinal cord, it is also used to treat pain. Additionally, THC has been shown to increase hunger, and it is often recommended for this function when an illness or cancer treatment, such as radiation therapy, results in a decreased appetite. Despite the fact that several states permit the legal prescription of marijuana for medical purposes, the federal government still categorizes it as a Schedule 1 drug with no accepted medical use. Therefore, regardless of whether it is legal in a given jurisdiction, THC is still tested for in all normal 5-panel drug tests.

Phencyclidine/PC

Phencyclidine, popularly known as PCP or angel dust, is a lawfully produced animal tranquilizer that is frequently stolen or illegally manufactured in laboratories. Either a clear, yellowish liquid or a powder form is available. There are numerous ways to consume PCP, including sniffing, smoking, and injecting. Dangerous hallucinations are the side effects, and long-term use can lead to schizophrenia-like conditions. The federal government classifies PCP as a Schedule 2 drug.

Cocaine, sometimes known as coke, is a potent stimulant typically used for recreational purposes. It is made from the South American native cocoa plant's leaves, which are then processed. Cocaine typically takes the shape of a white powder and is frequently combined with fillers that have a similar appearance, like baking soda. It is typically injected, snorted, or breathed to achieve its numbing and/or wakefulness effects. It can also be used to suppress hunger.

Cocaine is classified by the federal government as a Schedule 2 substance, meaning it has a significantly higher potential for addiction and misuse than narcotics on Schedule 1. Cocaine is regarded as extremely harmful and tested for because it can lead to physical or psychological dependence if used frequently.

Amphetamines

Since the user frequently crushes amphetamine pills for snorting, they are susceptible to fake fillers, much like cocaine. Adderall and Ritalin are two popular types that are used to treat ADD and ADHD. Like cocaine, but to a lesser extent, amphetamines are stimulants and appetite suppressants. Since they enable the user to remain aware and awake longer and be much more concentrated, they are commonly known to be used as a "study drug" among college and high school students. Methamphetamine, sometimes known as "meth," is a highly addictive and hazardous type of amphetamine that can be found in powder or crystallized form. Meth is extremely addictive and violent, and it takes more of it each time to get the same high. Long-term use damages dopamine receptors and renders pleasure perception impossible. Both amphetamine and methamphetamine are classified as Schedule 2 drugs because of their significant misuse potential and potential for developing harmful physical dependency or psychological addiction. Amphetamine use for recreational purposes is prohibited, despite being legal to obtain with a prescription.

When detecting amphetamine and methamphetamine, the five-panel drug test will also pick up 3, 4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), popularly known as Ecstasy or Molly.

How to Perform a 5-Panel Drug Test?

Saliva (oral fluid) can be used in 5-Panel Drug Tests in addition to hair follicles and urine. A lab-based test or point of care testing (POCT), also known as express testing, can be used for these. Samples are collected for lab-based testing, after which they are delivered to the lab for analysis.

Although lab-based testing is thought to be more accurate, POCT tests can provide answers rapidly, frequently in a matter of minutes, which is crucial in some employment circumstances. However, the time between sending samples to a lab and getting the findings back could be 2 to 5 business days. Additionally, POCT tests are typically less expensive for businesses to administer and more practical for employees.

To rule out the potential of a false positive and help ensure the legal justification of any actions taken by the employer, a laboratory test must confirm a positive POCT result. A Medical Review Officer (MRO) can also safeguard the business.



 

Thursday, May 4, 2023

Prioritize your health and timely check your testosterone level

 Testosterone: What Is That?

Testosterone is produced by the ovaries and testicles. You’re physical and mental

 Health may be impacted by producing either too little or too much testosterone.

A hormone known as testosterone is present in both genders. Generally, In men testosterone is predominantly produced in the testicles. However, in much smaller amounts, testosterone is also produced by women's ovaries.

During puberty time, testosterone production begins to rise significantly, and it then starts to decline around the age of 30.

Testosterone is most often connected with sex drive and plays an important role in sperm generation. Additionally, it has an impact on red blood cell production, bone and muscle mass, and how men store fat in their bodies. A man's testosterone levels may also affect how he feels.



What is a testosterone levels test?

A test for testosterone levels quantifies the level of the hormone in a sample of your blood. Although testosterone is regarded as a "male" sex hormone, it is present in smaller amounts in females.

Making testosterone involves:

·        The testes, or testicles, are the sperm-producing organs of the male reproductive system.

·        The ovaries are the part of the female reproductive system responsible for egg production.

·        The organs on top of each kidney known as the adrenal glands produce a number of hormones.

Male puberty is characterized by the growth of body hair, muscles, and a deeper voice due to testosterone. It regulates sex drive in adults, keeps muscles strong, and aids in sperm production. The development of bones, muscles, and healthy organs in females depends on testosterone.

Your blood contains many types of testosterone that can be examined to assist identify specific health issues. Your testosterone is mostly bound to proteins. The proteins limit the quantity of "active" testosterone in your body by preventing your tissues from utilizing it immediately away. Free testosterone is testosterone that is not bound to proteins. Your tissues are affected by free testosterone.

These various kinds of testosterone are measured by three separate blood tests:

·        Total testosterone levels are determined by measuring both free and protein-bound testosterone. The most typical kind of test is this one.

·        Only the "active" type of testosterone is detected by a free testosterone test. Although this test is less frequent, it could be helpful for diagnosing some medical conditions.

·        A test for bioavailable testosterone quantifies both free testosterone and testosterone that is weakly bound to albumin, a blood protein.

·        A free testosterone test, could be used to identify some illnesses.

Additional names include serum, total, free, and bioavailable testosterone.

Why do you need a testosterone levels test?

If your body shows signs of abnormal testosterone levels, you may require this test. The test is mostly used for symptoms of low T levels (too low testosterone levels) in guys who have completed puberty. With age, testosterone levels typically decline. Low T, however, can also be brought on by other medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, chronic sickness, or testicular problems.

The symptoms of low Testosterone:

·        Infertility (difficulty getting someone pregnant)

·        Lack of face or body hair

·        Erectile disfunction or "ED"

·        Thinning bones or anemia without a known cause

·        Loss of muscle mass

·        Enlarged breasts

·        Low sex drive

In females, the test is mostly used for symptoms with high Testosterone levels, such as:

·        Hair loss on the head that may be like male-pattern baldness (hair loss at the temples and balding on the top of the head)

·        A voice that gets lower

·        Infertility (difficulty getting pregnant)

·        Abnormal hair growth on the body or face

·        Acne problem

·        Irregular or no menstrual periods

What happens in a testosterone test?

Between seven and ten in the morning is the ideal time to draw blood for a testosterone test. Your testosterone levels are most likely at their peak during these hours.

Using a tiny needle, a medical professional will draw blood from a vein in your arm. A little blood will be collected in a test tube or vial after the needle has been inserted. You might feel a tiny sting when the needle enters or exits. This usually only takes a few minutes.