Barbiturate (including secobarbital) Hair Mass Concentration
This test measures the amount of certain barbiturate drugs, such as secobarbital, in your hair over time. Hair testing can help detect drug exposure that may not be captured by blood or urine tests.
["Hair barbiturate testing provides a long-term picture of drug use that may not be evident in recent blood or urine samples."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 26930-8
- Short code
- Secobarbital Hair-mCnt
- Synonyms
- Secobarbital Hair-mCnt
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 1.5
- Ref high
- 9
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 83002
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Is Done
Hair testing is sometimes used to check for long-term drug exposure, especially in cases where recent drug use is unclear or when monitoring chronic exposure. It can help determine if a person has been consistently using certain substances over weeks or months.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed for this test. A small sample of your hair will be collected, usually from the back of your head. The test focuses on the hair shaft, not the scalp.
How the Test Works
The hair sample is analyzed using a specialized laboratory technique (likely high-performance liquid chromatography, or HPLC) to detect and measure barbiturate compounds. These drugs can accumulate in hair over time and remain detectable for extended periods.
What the Results Mean
Results indicate the concentration of barbiturates in your hair. A positive result suggests past exposure, but it does not indicate when or how recently the drug was used. Interpretation depends on clinical context, such as medical history or suspected exposure timeline.
Reference range
Follicular: 1.5-9.0 mIU/mLN/A
For females: inform if menstrual cycle status. For certain tests, timing within menstrual cycle may matter.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance
Short name
Hair Barbiturate Screening
Frequently asked questions
What are the normal results for this test?
Can hair barbiturate testing detect recent drug use?
Why might my doctor order this test?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy