Complete Blood Count (CBC)

What is this test? A complete blood count (CBC) is a common blood test that measures the different cells in your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

The Amphetamines Gastric Fluid test is a laboratory test that detects the presence of amphetamine-type stimulants (such as amphetamine and methamphetamine) in the stomach contents. Unlike simple screening tests, this test uses confirmatory methods (typically gas chromatography-mass spectrometry or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) to accurately identify and verify the specific drug compounds present.

Why is this test performed? Doctors order a CBC as part of a routine checkup or to look for signs of infection, anemia, and other conditions that can affect your blood and your overall health.

This test is ordered when healthcare providers need to confirm suspected amphetamine or methamphetamine ingestion. Common reasons include: suspected drug overdose, unexplained altered mental status, evaluation of patients with stimulant intoxication symptoms (such as agitation, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, or dilated pupils), and monitoring patients in substance abuse treatment programs.

How is the test performed? A trained health care professional will draw a small sample of blood, usually from a vein in your arm, using a thin needle. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis.

A healthcare professional collects a sample of gastric fluid (stomach contents) through a nasogastric tube or during endoscopy. The sample is then sent to a laboratory where it undergoes sophisticated testing using mass spectrometry techniques. These methods can not only detect the presence of amphetamines but can also quantify the amount and identify specific compounds.

What do the results mean? Your results show whether your blood cell counts fall within the normal range. Abnormal levels may point to conditions such as anemia, infection, inflammation, or clotting problems, and your provider will explain what the numbers mean for you.

A positive result indicates that amphetamines were detected in the gastric fluid, confirming recent drug ingestion. A negative result means no amphetamines were detected at the time of testing. However, a negative result does not completely rule out drug use, as the drugs may have already been absorbed into the bloodstream or metabolized. Your doctor will interpret these results in conjunction with your symptoms, medical history, and other clinical findings.