: Cannabinoids (THC and THC-COOH) Panel, Confirmatory, Whole Blood

: What Is Being Measured

: The test measures two related substances: delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active ingredient in cannabis, and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH), the primary inactive metabolite your body produces as it breaks THC down. Whole blood is used, which reflects substances present in the bloodstream at the time of collection.

: Why a Confirmatory Test Is Used

: Initial screening tests are fast but can occasionally give false positives, for example from certain other compounds. A confirmatory method, often based on chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, re-analyzes the sample with greater chemical specificity so that a positive finding is more reliable.

: How the Sample Is Collected

: A blood specimen is drawn from a vein, usually in the arm, by a trained phlebotomist. Whole blood is collected in a tube containing preservative and anticoagulant. No special preparation is usually required, though you should tell the collector about any cannabis or CBD products you use.

: What Results Can Mean

: A confirmed positive result suggests recent cannabis exposure; THC-COOH tends to remain detectable longer than THC itself. A negative result means these substances were not detected above the test's limit. Detection windows vary widely between people and depend on dose, frequency, body composition, and individual metabolism, so results cannot pinpoint exactly when or how much was used.