Our Laboratory

Laboratory Science & Technology

MD Labs is a fully licensed high-complexity laboratory, regulated by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA #29D2032647) and accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). We uphold the highest proficiency testing standards in the industry and conform to all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

  • MD Labs provides some of the fastest and most reliable urine and oral fluid (saliva) test results in the nation.

  • We have significantly lower cutoff levels than other laboratories, enabling highly sensitive detection of specific drug compounds using a minimal volume (2 mL) of specimen.

  • MD Labs detects and quantifies hundreds of brand-name drugs using the latest technology for greater reliability and precision and calculates creatinine normalization to account for patient hydration state.

Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA)

Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) is a biochemical testing methodology that identifies the presence of drugs and/or drug metabolites. EIA technology uses drug-specific enzymes and analyte-specific antibodies. When a drug compound is present in the specimen, an active amount of enzyme will form generating a color change that is measured on a spectrophotometric analyzer. EIA offers consistent reproducibility, accuracy, and dependability - but has difficulty differentiating similar drugs from one another.

Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass-Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS)

Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass-Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), utilizes both physical separation and mass analysis techniques to identify organic chemical compounds with the highest precision and accuracy. UPLC-MS/MS is the highest analytical standard in the industry, thus providing higher sensitivity, low levels of quantification, higher specificity, better chromatographic resolution, and greater throughput using sub-2-µm particle technology.

EnantiomerIC Separation of Methamphetamine (speed/crystal meth)

Did you know a popular over-the-counter nasal decongestant contains an almost identical compound to street methamphetamine? Illegal dextromethamphetamine (D-methamphetamine) is a mirror enantiomer to the levomethamphetamine (L-methamphetamine) found in Vicks Vapor Inhaler and other medications. Both of these enantiomers will trigger the same positive responses from dipstick screens, Enzyme Immunoassays, and even traditional GC-MS and LC-MS/MS analysis methods. Only very sensitive equipment and select methods can differentiate and quantify these two drugs from each other. MD Labs is one of the very few laboratories with the ability to separate and identify the illegal D- version from the legal and non-habit-forming L- molecule. MD Labs offers this testing so providers have the information needed to treat patients appropriately.

PHARMACOGENETICS (PGX)

Pharmacogenetics testing identifies patients who could be responsive or non-responsive to treatment, develop interactions, produce side effects, or require dosing adjustment. Understanding your patient’s genetics can help you make a more informed prescribing decision - all from the information received from a simple cheek swab. And PGX testing is now widely covered by Medicare, some state Medicaids and several private insurance carriers. Inquire with your MD Labs representative to see how we can help your patients.