There are many posts here about false negatives. Please search.
Too often a lab sets its detection level too high, so a small amount of hydrocodone goes undetected.
Everyone metabolizes opioids based on their body's ability to create certain liver enzymes, called CYP450.
Generally, these tests check opioid metabolites. If you are a poor metabolizer of hydrocodone, you're going to have less metabolites in your urine. Also, people with kidney disease under excrete these metabolites.
Ask your doctor to work with you on this. Perhaps you can find another lab that will give you the proper result, or use a simpler test that looks only for the presence of opioids in your blood stream instead of checking their metabolites.
Best wishes.
Always go to the bathroom before you take your full prescribed dose when being tested. When given the test void a little the use the catch container to catch the rest. I was having false negatives and my Dr knew I was taking as prescribed because my hubby or parents dispense it to me. I have not had a false negative since following her advice. She told me I have an extremely fast metabolism when it come to processing the medication which caused her to change up my meds cuz they did not last as long as they should. Good luck to you.
Thank you, I am going to see if they will lower the cutoff on the test, right now the cutoff is 300 (I am not sure what that means). I have come back presumptive positive and then the second time they did a Mass Spec test and kept the cutoff at 300. Does anyone have any idea what a cutoff of 300 is? Is it a high number? I see where the THC cutoff was 50. I am sure this is where my problem lies. If I take a full tablet four times a day (which I do on a very bad day), I get an upset stomach and feel loopy which I do not like at all. I try to take the lowest possible dose there is just so I can function. In addition I have an hour drive to the clinic, I can't afford to take too much medication and risk imparing my driving.
Thank you Cathy, that is great advice, I will try this too. I have never lied about my medication and my husband is also a witness to my taking it. I just hate being accused of lying and treated like a criminal. I try so hard to take the minimum so I can function with my head on straight. The days I take my full dose of four full tablets a day, I do not go anywhere or do anything mechanical. It just isn't safe.
They are making it harder and harder on those of us who follow the rules....
Actually, you want them to increase the cutoff level -- so that lower levels of opioid metabolites are detected.
There is also a simple opioid test done with a dipstick. It simply checks for the presence of opioid. If you are a poor metabolizer, this may satisfy your physician that you are indeed taking your medication, and perhaps he.she can find another opioid analgesic that your body can better use.
Best wishes.