Fingernail / Toenail Drug Testing

Because nails contain the bio-material keratin, which is also found in hair, deposits of drug and drug metabolites can be tested for in the nails similar to hair. A major advantage of nail testing over hair testing is the numerous test panels available . Here is a list of the testing panels offered and what they test for:

Generally nail testing consists of 10 clippings of fingernails or toenails. Depending on the source of the sample (fingers or toes), a nail test can detect drug use up to 12 months, even with regular clippings and trimmings.

Fingernails and toenails do not grow at the same rates. Generally fingernails grow 3 - 5 millimeters a month while toe nails grow at a much slower rate of 1 millimeter per month. Because of the relative slow growth of nails, a single use of a drug will not typically be detected during a nail analysis. Most drugs can be identified in nail clippings 2-4 weeks following ingestion.

All nail tests are confirmed by GC/MS and MRO review if necessary.