False positive

Published

How common is a false positive proved with blood tests they say I tested positive they won't tell me for what I requested a retest they said they'll use the other half of the sample they already took which doesn't make sense to me

 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

A blood tesr today wouldn't necessarily show a substance a person took even a day ago.  Testing the sane sample tests for the same time interval.  It's anxiety provoking ..wait for the confirmation test. Hopefully they will you the substance that tested positive if the second test is positive.  A lot of substances can cause a false positive test.  You could look up what could cause a false positive test and see if you ingested anything that could cause a false positive test.  A hair test goes back 3 months.  You could do a hair test to prove your innocence. 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I took sudafed without diphenhydramine as they said that was OK but the Dr I talked to said differently I've also had multiple Chinese and Japanese dishes that I didn't ask about ingredients 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
PaNurse2023 said:

I took sudafed without diphenhydramine as they said that was OK but the Dr I talked to said differently I've also had multiple Chinese and Japanese dishes that I didn't ask about ingredients 

We are allowed to take Sudafed with person only.  Soy sauce contains alcohol.  You need to start asking about ingredients.  I only eat basic food that I know doesn't have alcohol or poppy seeds.  Hopefully they forgive this. If not you'll get time added.  Be careful going forward with what you eat. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Theyre trying to say I'll have to do and whole new evaluation 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
PaNurse2023 said:

Theyre trying to say I'll have to do and whole new evaluation 

Some states do that.  If you have pictures or receipts of anything that may help.  We're constantly asked to show proof of anything where I am. This isn't normal life. We are all considered guilty until proven innocent.   If the 2nd test comes back positive get all of your evidence to present to them.  

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The confirmation test for what ever substance you tested positive for will be positive.  How many times have we heard that the initial screen was Positive only to have the second test be negative?  It doesn't happen.  The first test is immunoassay and they use a very low (not as sensitive and easier to report at negative) cutoff.  The confirmation test is gas or high-performance liquid chromatography which is incredibly sensitive and it will detect it.  As a matter of fact, the USDOT had a write up 3 years ago that showed 99.99 percent of initial Positive immunoassay test (your initial test they do when you pee in a cup) remain Positive when the second confirmation test by high-performance chromatography is performed.  So, we are talking 1 test in less than 10,000 that test positive initial, then test negative with the confirmation test.  It simply doesn't happen.  

Now, the thing is, hopefully you can have proof as to what might have caused it.  Whether miscommunication and not knowing about Benadryl or Sudafed, certain foods and stuff you ate, a UTI, etc.  Always fight it.  Again, anytime you have a positive test and you are certain you have done nothing intentionally wrong, get a hair test on your own and very quickly that you make sure tests for the substance they said you are positive for.  You have a 3 month window to look back and it shows your regular sobriety and the event was not intentional.  Do NOT believe them when they tell you that they don't "approve" of your hair test you got at a highly respected place. SEND the NEGATIVE results to your case manager and the Medical Review Officer via email.  Once they get this in their hand, it's very, very, very difficult for them to simply throw the test results in the trash and simply not acknowledge it.  They may say, "we don't accept outside test," but go ahead and put the results from a respected hair testing place.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

One more thing nurses don't realize either.  Whatever the place is that you test at...........you can go there and get a hair test on your own (you have to order it online and it doesn't require meeting with a Doctor) and you go exactly to the same place that you normally get tested at.  Again, very difficult for them once they have results in their hands that say NEGATIVE when you were tested at the very same location you normally test at, even if your results of the Hair test that you ordered didn't go directly to them like your regular tests do when you are selected, they still have a problem on their hands when they get negative results in their hands.  They win 9 out of 10 times because the nurse backs down.  The nurse never does the test on her own.  She believes the phone conversation by the guy who barely speaks English who is the Medical Review Officer that tells her "we don't accept outside tests."  That's great, but do your own outside hair test and send him the results.  Medically, as a physician, most nurses don't know this.  A physician at least HAS TO acknowledge the results of a lab test once they see it.  They are at a dilemma.  Even though they didn't order the test and their policy will state, "no outside tests" or "we don't accept outside tests," once they get an outside test in their hands and in front of them, they get into a legal loophole, a potential Problem, if they simply see negative test results and throw them in the trash.  Will this work 100% of the time?  Of course not.  But, does it increase your chances, does it help your argument?  Does it work some of the time COMPARED TO if you never did a test on your own showing negative results?  The answer is obviously YES.  It helps your argument and holds some weight and DOES sometimes work.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

They refuse to tell me what I was positive for 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
PaNurse2023 said:

They refuse to tell me what I was positive for 

Since you took sudafed there's no point to test again.  Hope that's what you're positive for and plead your case. It's horrible to avoid certain foods and medication but after your monitoring agreement you can go back to normal 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in tele, ICU, CVICU.

A few years back, I had a 6 month hair test done on my own, to demonstrate my sobriety and a false positive.  EVERYTHING on that hair test was negative, proving my compliance and innocence.  The judge took it into consideration, but the prosecutor said that they couldn't verify chain of custody, thus she didn't trust it,.... what a witch.  she was so nice on the phone, telling me "yes, you can certainly get a hair test to show sobriety, a lot of people do" and then in court was a witch.... just my experience.  And it was done at an approved testing location they utilize all the time.   Sorry it's happening to you.... best of luck. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
crazin01 said:

A few years back, I had a 6 month hair test done on my own, to demonstrate my sobriety and a false positive.  EVERYTHING on that hair test was negative, proving my compliance and innocence.  The judge took it into consideration, but the prosecutor said that they couldn't verify chain of custody, thus she didn't trust it,.... what a witch.  she was so nice on the phone, telling me "yes, you can certainly get a hair test to show sobriety, a lot of people do" and then in court was a witch.... just my experience.  And it was done at an approved testing location they utilize all the time.   Sorry it's happening to you.... best of luck. 

If the person gods to the same place to test that uses the same lab it's not OK? Did it turn out well for you? 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion