Expert: Dr.Paul Skett - 2/22/2010

Question
Hi,

I recently submitted to a hair strand test as I had been accused of consistently abusing alcohol.
The results came back recently and were 0.028 ng/mg, however the subject has been kind of ignored and no response has been received indicating if this is a high result or a low result.
Frankly I'm confused and any information you could share on the subject would be hugely appreciated.

Regards

Ed Byrom

Answer
Hi, Ed,

Thanks for your question.

Hair analysis is only good for saying if something is present - i.e if the alcohol metabolite (actually ethyl glucuronide) is there indicating alcohol use at some time during the time period over which the hair grew.

It is not very good at saying how much alcohol was drunk or when - hair grows at 1cm/month on average - what length of hair did they take? Did they cut it into 1cm sections for analysis?

A single measure is of little use in determining consistent alcohol abuse.

Hope this helps.

Paul