Mayo Clinic Laboratories > Therapeutics > Result interpretations

Result interpretations

Ensuring accuracy of results

Effective monitoring of controlled substances and assessment for risk of misuse requires correct interpretation of test results. Because adulterated specimens can generate inaccurate results, having potentially damaging effects on treatment decisions, specimen validity testing is important to assess sample quality prior to testing and result interpretation.

Result interpretations Testing services

Adulterants survey

Our controlled substance monitoring profiles begin with an adulterant survey to assess for common masking agents and ensure specimen quality. When adulterated specimens are identified, the test order is canceled and reported as invalid, free of charge to the client.

Key testing


Result interpretations

Laboratory-generated test results are accompanied by interpretive reports that clearly identify the presence of prescribed, nonprescription, and illicit drugs. By including testing limitations, details on the window of drug detection, and information on the presence of pharmaceutical impurities and metabolic breakdowns of parent drugs, these enhanced reports provide important insights to guide treatment decisions.

Our industry-leading experts are available to discuss unexpected or unexplained results, provide ordering guidance, and offer testing education free of charge to our clients.

Pharmacokinetics of commonly prescribed and abused substances

Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ recommended approach to urine drug testing takes the guesswork out of results interpretations. Our approach uses a combination of specimen validity testing, immunoassays, and targeted screens with interpretations that enable accurate interpretation of controlled substance monitoring test results.

Pharmacokinetics of commonly prescribed and abused substances

Analysis of urine drug testing results by our experts, who apply the most up-to-date scientific data, enables further transparency and clear answers that illuminate patients’ drug use. Learn more about interferences and impurities that might impact controlled substance simple screening results.

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