HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

WHEN A HOSPITAL ASSES FOR DRUG TOXICITY HOW DO THEY

default
Posted on Sat, 23 Jan 2021
Question: WHEN A HOSPITAL ASSES FOR DRUG TOXICITY HOW DO THEY DO THIS, ANDIF THEY RATE IT WITH NUMBERS WHAST RATING NUMBERS DO THEY USE. IF THERY USE A NUMBER 9 WHAT DOES THAT MEAN. THANKS
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (26 hours later)
Brief Answer:
number 9 is meaningless

Detailed Answer:
by itself. There are two tests commonly used : urine and blood. First of all it depends on what they are looking for. wiht urine a particular paper that binds a particular drug is dipped. The drug has to be there and be at enough of a strength or it is missed. Seemingly close drugs oxycodone and hydrocodone do not generally work on the same urine test. Fentanyl is a problem. Very little of it needs to be there even for a fatal amount. It is very different from the usual opiates like percocet and heroin. So unless it is specifically tested for, it will be missed entirely.
Blood tests take everything that is there and typically can test for a wide variety of drugs both abused and regular medicines. Still, the drug has to be looked for and if it is not, then no results will be found
Urine tests are "yes/no" and no number. Blood levels come as numbers and if the number is very very low, it does not necessarily mean the drug was present.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (1 hour later)
sSO I AM ASSUMING THAT THE NUMBER THING IS ONLY USED BY THEM. IS THAT CORRECT
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (44 hours later)
Brief Answer:
haven't the faintest.

Detailed Answer:
It depends on the units after it. If it is just the number '9' then it is some code number, only used by them.... no significance. AND if it has a unit like pg/ml then it is a measure of how much they found. This is ALMOST meaningless. If the level is the same number as the lowest amount they can detect then...

1) it is meaningless and
2) they didn't get a reliable result that one can count on. If they got a high number then it likely is a real result and more important is what number they take as positive. This is arbitrary. You can choose THE LOWEST AMOUNT POSSIBLE and you'll falsely accuse people.

You can choose a PRETTY HIGH VALUE and you will miss some people who don't use drugs daily and don't use much but you won't' falsely accuse anyone (choose that one!).

Regards

Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
WHEN A HOSPITAL ASSES FOR DRUG TOXICITY HOW DO THEY

Brief Answer: number 9 is meaningless Detailed Answer: by itself. There are two tests commonly used : urine and blood. First of all it depends on what they are looking for. wiht urine a particular paper that binds a particular drug is dipped. The drug has to be there and be at enough of a strength or it is missed. Seemingly close drugs oxycodone and hydrocodone do not generally work on the same urine test. Fentanyl is a problem. Very little of it needs to be there even for a fatal amount. It is very different from the usual opiates like percocet and heroin. So unless it is specifically tested for, it will be missed entirely. Blood tests take everything that is there and typically can test for a wide variety of drugs both abused and regular medicines. Still, the drug has to be looked for and if it is not, then no results will be found Urine tests are "yes/no" and no number. Blood levels come as numbers and if the number is very very low, it does not necessarily mean the drug was present.