activated charcoal, drug testing and the enterohepatic cycle

 The oral consumption of activated charcoal is not expected to have a significant effect on drug use and drug testing in relation to the enterohepatic cycle. 

 

The oral consumption of activated charcoal

 is believed to work by absorbing toxins and drugs in the following way:


Activated charcoal is a specially processed form of carbon that has a large surface area and a highly porous structure. This unique structure allows activated charcoal to adsorb (not absorb) substances onto its surface through a process called adsorption. Adsorption refers to the adhesion of molecules to the surface of another material without being assimilated or dissolved into it.


When activated charcoal is ingested orally, it travels through the digestive system and comes into contact with various substances present in the gastrointestinal tract. The porous structure of activated charcoal attracts and binds to a wide range of molecules, including toxins and drugs. These molecules adhere to the surface of the charcoal, effectively trapping them within its pores.


The principle behind using activated charcoal to treat poisoning or drug overdoses is that by adsorbing these substances, it may prevent their absorption into the bloodstream. This can reduce their systemic effects and potentially limit their toxicity.


It's important to note that activated charcoal is most effective in adsorbing certain types of drugs and toxins. It works best for adsorbing substances that are relatively large, nonpolar, and not readily absorbed by the body. Examples of such substances include some drugs, chemicals, and certain toxins.


Activated charcoal is not effective against all substances. It may not work well for adsorbing substances such as alcohol, heavy metals, certain acids, or substances that have already been absorbed into the bloodstream. Additionally, it does not reverse the effects of substances that have already exerted their effects on the body.

The enterohepatic cycle

 refers to a complex process that occurs between the liver and the small intestine, involving the absorption, secretion, and re absorption of certain substances. This cycle primarily involves bile acids, which are produced in the liver and play a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of dietary fats.


Here's a step-by-step explanation of the enterohepatic cycle:

Bile acid synthesis: Bile acids are synthesized in the liver from cholesterol. They are then conjugated with the amino acids glycine or taurine to form bile salts.

Bile secretion: Bile salts, along with other components such as cholesterol, phospholipids, and bilirubin, are excreted from the liver as bile. Bile is stored in the gallbladder until it is needed for digestion.

Fat digestion: When dietary fats enter the small intestine, bile salts are released from the gallbladder and secreted into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Bile salts emulsify the fats, breaking them down into smaller droplets, which increases the surface area for enzyme action.

Micelle formation and fat absorption: Bile salts form micelles with the digested fats, aiding in their absorption. The micelles transport the fats to the surface of the intestinal cells (enterocytes), where they are absorbed.

Bile acid reabsorption: After aiding in fat absorption, a portion of the bile salts is actively reabsorbed by the enterocytes in the ileum (the last part of the small intestine) and transported back to the liver through the portal vein.

Bile acid recycling: Once the reabsorbed bile salts reach the liver, they are taken up by hepatocytes (liver cells) and returned to the bile canaliculi (small ducts) within the liver. From there, they are re-secreted into the bile ducts and stored in the gallbladder for future use.


This enterohepatic circulation of bile salts allows for the efficient reuse of bile acids, which would otherwise be excreted in the feces. By recycling bile acids, the enterohepatic cycle helps to conserve energy and maintain the necessary levels of bile salts for effective fat digestion and absorption.

Enterohepatic Recycling

 
Enterohepatic recycling (EHR) is a feedback mechanism resulting from the combined roles of the liver and intestine. EHR begins with drug absorption across the intestine into the portal circulation, followed by uptake into the hepatocytes. Next, drug and or conjugated metabolites are secreted into the bile and returned to the intestine, where drug can be reabsorbed into the circulation, in some cases after deconjugation in the GI tract (Figure 9.10). As described previously, a number of drugs are secreted by the liver into bile, and are therefore capable of undergoing enterohepatic recycling. These include antibiotics, NSAIDS, hormones, opioids, digoxin, and warfarin.

In cases of acute drug intoxications, activated charcoal is a commonly used treatment because of its ability to adsorb materials with a high capacity. Although timely single-dose administration is effective in preventing drug absorption of orally ingested drugs, repeated doses of activated charcoal have been shown to increase drug clearance, resulting in reduced plasma exposure of drug (Figure 9.11). This is the result of decreased enterohepatic recycling and increased drug exsorption from the intestine.

However, when it comes to the enterohepatic cycle and drug use, the impact of oral charcoal consumption is limited. Activated charcoal primarily works in the gastrointestinal tract, where it can bind to drugs present in the digestive system before they are absorbed into the bloodstream. This means that it may be useful in preventing the absorption of drugs that have not yet entered the systemic circulation.


Once a drug has been absorbed into the bloodstream and gone through metabolism in the liver, the enterohepatic cycle is already underway. At this stage, activated charcoal taken orally is unlikely to have a significant impact on the drug's fate in the body. The drug has already been metabolized and has gone through the necessary processes in the liver. Charcoal consumed orally cannot reverse or interrupt this cycle.


Regarding drug testing, the enterohepatic cycle is not directly affected by activated charcoal consumption. Drug tests typically analyze metabolites or traces of drugs in bodily fluids or tissues. These metabolites are the byproducts of drug metabolism in the liver and are not affected by activated charcoal in the digestive system.


In summary, while activated charcoal can be effective in preventing the absorption of drugs in the gastrointestinal tract before they enter the bloodstream, its impact on drugs that have already been absorbed and undergone metabolism is limited. Therefore, oral consumption of charcoal is unlikely to have a significant effect on drug use or drug testing in relation to the enterohepatic cycle.

 

 

 

 

 citing sources -

 David R. Taft, in Pharmacology, 2009

 Timothy A. Bertram, ... Sureshkumar Muthupalani, in Haschek and Rousseaux's Handbook of Toxicologic Pathology (Third Edition), 2013

 Joseph A. Ware, ... Shiew-Mei Huang, in Principles of Clinical Pharmacology (Third Edition), 2012

 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/enterohepatic-circulation

 https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/enterohepatic-circulation#:~:text=As%20described%20previously%2C%20a%20number,opioids%2C%20digoxin%2C%20and%20warfarin.

 

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Creatine used in Dilution for drug testing how its being done wrong.

Creatine used in Dilution  for drug testing how its being used wrong.  

 Dilution is ...

Dilution refers to the process of decreasing the concentration of a urine sample by consuming excessive fluids with the intention of manipulating a negative outcome on a drug test. Another approach is consuming substances like diuretics (e.g., coffee, cranberry juice) that increase urine output.However, it's important to note that urine drug tests have measures in place to detect dilution attempts. 

Laboratories typically analyze multiple parameters in the urine, including creatinine levels, specific gravity, and pH, to assess the sample's validity. Diluted urine often has low creatinine levels and a lower specific gravity compared to normal urine, indicating that it has been tampered with.

laboratories routinely analyze samples for creatinine and specific gravity levels. Creatinine is a waste product generated by muscles and serves as a measure of urine concentration. Specific gravity, on the other hand, measures the ratio of water to other substances in urine and is another indicator of concentration. Typical creatinine levels in urine range between 20 and 400 mg/dL, while normal specific gravity falls between 1.002 and 1.030. Specimens with a creatinine level above 2 mg/dL or below 20 g/dL, and a specific gravity lower than 1.001 or 1.003, are considered diluted.

If a test is determined to be a negative-dilute result, it is highly likely that an employer will request a second test regardless of the underlying reason. However, in some cases, employers may accept a doctor's note stating that an individual has a shy bladder, which requires consuming large amounts of water to produce a urine specimen, as a valid explanation for a dilute test.

The outcomes of a positive dilute test are considered equivalent to any other positive test. The presence of drugs is detected, and the consequences remain the same.

 In drug testing scenarios, dilution is generally considered an adulteration method and is not a reliable way to pass a drug test. Laboratories are aware of these techniques and have established protocols to detect diluted samples. A negative dilute result occurs when a urine specimen tests Negative  for a particular drug metabolite while also having a crashed specific gravity and creatinine level.

 If a diluted sample is identified, it may be deemed invalid, and further testing or consequences may be implemented, such as retesting or considering it a positive result.

 

Methods of Dilution

 Various items are inevitably added to a standard dilution of consuming a liter a hour of some sports drink and diuretics. most notably would be creatine, certo or pectin , and some times you hear people saying to use charcoal. People cant help but think they are improving things regardless if they have any proof to the claim .

adding random things are pointless for one , your still diluting with tons of fluids.

If items like pectin were so important then why don't they drink it with a cup of water instead of a gallon ?  well besides that fact it would turn to a glob in their stomach .  Pectin is just fruit fiber and it may help you create a bowel movement its not releasing THC from body fat. Same goes for charcoal, which is consumed by mouth into the stomach where it is usually used to aid in poisoning JUST CONSUMED AND STILL IN THE STOMACH.  


consuming creatine will not give you extra creatinine levels

How Creatine Works

 Creatine is a substance found naturally in muscle cells. It helps your muscles produce energy during heavy lifting or high intensity exercise.

 Taking creatine as a supplement is very popular among athletes and bodybuilders. They use it to gain muscle, enhance strength, and improve exercise performance

About half of your body’s creatine stores come from the food you eat — especially red meat and seafood — and the rest is made in your liver and kidneys from amino acids. About 95% of the body’s creatine is stored in the muscles, mainly in the form of phosphocreatine. The other 5% is found in the brain and testes .

Creatine monohydrate absorption is close to 100% [27], and when 2 g of Cr is consumed in an aqueous solution, it reaches peak plasma concentration in approximately 1 h. 

 
During exertion, your muscles convert the stored creatine molecules into energy, which assists in muscle contraction. After being used for energy, creatine is broken down into creatinine, which re-enters the bloodstream en route to the kidneys. 

 
 When you supplement, you increase your stores of phosphocreatine. This is a form of stored energy in the cells. It helps your body produce more of a high energy molecule called ATP.

Most of the creatine in the body is stored as phosphocreatine (66%), while the remaining portion exists as free creatine (33%). On average, the total creatine pool (phosphocreatine + free creatine) in the muscles of a normal-sized person is around 120 grams. Each day, about 1 to 2% (2-3 grams) of the total creatine pool is broken down and converted into creatinine within the muscles. The creatinine is then excreted in the urine.

The body has the capacity to store up to 160 grams of creatine. Therefore, one can think of the normal creatine content in the muscles (approximately 120 grams) as a gas tank that is about 75% full. Scientific studies consistently report that dietary supplementation of creatine can increase muscle creatine and phosphocreatine content by 10-40%. Consequently, supplementing with creatine allows individuals to fill up their creatine storage tank to about 150-160 grams (25-30%). However, people may respond differently to creatine supplementation, with some experiencing increases in muscle creatine content as little as 5-15%, while others may see an increase of 15-40%.

TYPES OF CREATINE 

Creatine monohydrate and creatine ester are two forms of creatine, a popular supplement known for its potential to enhance athletic performance. Let's delve into the differences in absorption and their potential impact on creatinine levels: 

1. Creatine Monohydrate: 

• Absorption: Creatine monohydrate is well-researched and has been shown to be efficiently absorbed by the body. It is the most studied and commonly used form of creatine. 

• Creatinine Levels: Creatinine is a byproduct of creatine metabolism. While creatine monohydrate supplementation may lead to a slight increase in creatinine levels, this is generally considered normal and not indicative of kidney dysfunction. It's crucial to stay hydrated when using creatine to support kidney function. 

2. Creatine Ester: 

• Absorption: Creatine ester is a form of creatine that has been chemically altered to potentially improve absorption. However, research on creatine ester is limited compared to creatine monohydrate, and some studies suggest that the ester form may not be as effective in increasing muscle creatine levels. 

 it has been found that under normal physiological conditions, creatine ethyl ester is very unstable and is largely converted into creatinine in the gastrointestinal tract, where it is also absorbed. Spillane et al¹³ demonstrate this in an experiment in which serum creatine and creatinine measurements were taken from healthy volunteers who either consumed creatine ethyl ester, creatine monohydrate or a placebo. It was found that serum creatinine levels approximately tripled after the ingestion of creatine ethyl ester, while serum creatine only marginally increased. The ingestion of creatine monohydrate caused serum creatine to increase significantly and only caused a marginal increase in serum creatinine.

Therefore, regardless of the small amount consumed during a dilution method, it does not convert into creatinine but rather gets stored. Additionally, the amount of creatinine in so-called detox drinks like Q Carbo is extremely insignificant. Your body only excretes what it breaks down, which means you need to regularly consume creatine and engage in heavy weight lifting to create the waste material that is creatinine.

 HOWEVER  HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS 

There IS a way you can get  creatinine  not creatine in volume you need during dilution. You will need to prepare it ahead of time. 20 grams of creatinine mono hydrate in orange juice, (this is needed for the acid ) and store at room temp for 3 days. Now you have creatinine that can be rejected and pissed out .  

The effect of creatine ingestion on urinary creatinine concentration: Does supplementation mask a heavy dilution?

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4170516/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34559477/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8401986/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2649889/

Truth about dilution for urine test- ( certo , niacin , detox drinks )

 Whats the truth about Dilution for drug test ?

Do things like certo , Niacin or expensive "Detox Drinks" actually "Detox " you ? 

Methods using products like Certo, or detox drinks are essentially just adding them to a standard dilution agent like water. In the past, before synthetic urine and the internet, people used to rely on goldenseal tea for flushing. Therefore, there is no need to rely on gimmicky drinks that cost $40 and tell you to drink a gallon of water. It's important to recognize that it's the water that is diluting your urine after consuming pectin Certo, niacin, or detox drinks. Similarly, detox drinks instruct you to drink them along with multiple bottles of water, urinate a few times while continuing to drink more water before the test.

Some might wonder about the color of the urine, but in a urine test, the color is not a significant factor, and most people tend to hydrate prior to the test so they can produce urine and leave quickly. Concerning the possibility of over-hydrating and receiving a negative result due to low levels of creatinine and specific gravity (urine density), the drink itself doesn't add anything to counteract that. If you're diluting your urine by hydrating excessively, everything, including drug metabolites, color and creatinine will be diluted.

What actually happens is that you dilute your urine with water, and approximately an hour after you stop drinking excessive amounts of water, your body regulates itself and expels the excess water through urine, returning your levels to their true concentrations. This process doesn't "detox" your body as commonly claimed by those selling drinks or promoting online methods. In simple terms, the reason some people pass a urine test using these drinks and methods is often due to luck.

Alternatively, they might not have had drugs in their system to begin with, which is common for one-time users or occasional THC users who become paranoid and believe the drug will stay in their system indefinitely. However, a single use of THC typically clears from the body within three days, just like most other drugs. Many people who claim to have "passed" using these products are often one-time THC users who panicked without knowing the drug's elimination time frame. It's advisable to use a simple, inexpensive self-test urine stick before resorting to panic buying these drinks.

A laboratory drug test consists of two parts. The first part is the Validity Screen, which checks for levels of creatinine (not creatine) and specific gravity, among other factors that indicate potential sample masking or tampering. If you flush and dilute your urine but the creatinine and specific gravity levels are not significantly altered, then the urine is not considered diluted. Furthermore, if your metabolite levels are below the testing threshold, you will receive a negative result and pass the test.

However, if the specific gravity (urine density) and creatinine levels are too low, it indicates that you have consumed substances to alter your urine, which raises suspicion. Fortunately, they won't fail you outright, and you will have the opportunity to try the test again, although it may appear suspicious.

To summarize, if dilution is your only option, all you need is a $5.00 box of detox tea from any store and some inexpensive self-test sticks. Avoid self-testing when you are excessively hydrated as it may produce false negative results, as urine density validation is not performed. Remember, even a faint line on the test is considered negative for THC.

What works every single time is substituting your urine with synthetic urine. The only concern is ensuring that the synthetic urine is at the correct temperature when you submit it, but this can be easily managed with a proper container. Synthetic urine has been available for a long time, and it is a reliable method. Some may perceive it as riskier, but that is not accurate. Just practice carrying it to ensure you

What does work every single time is Synthetic urine substitution .  Your only concern is getting it in the cup at temp which is easy peezy with a proper container. Synthetic urine has been around a long time and its easy to beat. Most think it riskier but that is false.  Just practice carrying it so you know how to keep it at temp and your golden . 

One Shot Synthetic Urine Kit

Specimen validity testing the test before the (drug) test

Specimen validity testing the test before the (drug) test

Specimen validity testing (SVT) is performed on a urine drug screen specimen to detect substitution, adulteration, or dilution.

Specimen validity testing (SVT) is a critical component of urine drug screening programs. The process of collecting and testing urine samples for drugs of abuse can be susceptible to adulteration or substitution, making it challenging to ensure accurate test results. 

Specimen validity testing (SVT) is using substitution techniques,diluting urine, or adding a substance to a sample.

Characteristics	Normal Range
Creatinine, mg/dL	20–400
Specific gravity	1.002–1.030
pH	4.5–8.0
Temperature, within 4 minutes of voiding, °F	90–100

 SVT is a multifaceted process that includes various methods and techniques.

 Dilution —When someone drinks a significant amount of water shortly before providing a urine sample for donation or due to certain physiological conditions, it can lead to diluted urine. This dilution can cause drug or metabolite concentrations to fall below the initial test cutoff, potentially resulting in a false negative outcome. Dilution will mainly effect creatinine and specific gravity. 

 

Creatinine: Creatinine is a natural substance found in urine. It is created when muscle tissue breaks down and is eliminated from the body through the kidneys. Typically, the concentration of creatinine in urine falls within the range of 20 to 400 mg/dL. However, levels outside of this range can indicate factors such as excessive fluid intake, renal failure, diet, or various other medical conditions.

Specific Gravity: Specific gravity (SG) is a measure of the density of a liquid compared to the density of water. It helps determine the concentration of dissolved particles in a urine sample. A decrease in SG values may be attributed to factors like excessive fluid intake,

 

 

 Adulteration —Adding a substance to a specimen after it has been collected. The product added is designed to mask the presence of, or chemically destroy, the drug or drug metabolite that the specimen may contain. An adulterant product may be added with the intention of adversely affecting the testing reagents.

Adulterated Specimen

Urine samples with a pH level below 4.0 or above 9.0 are considered adulterated. An adulterated specimen refers to a urine sample that contains a substance not typically found in urine or an endogenous substance present at an abnormal concentration compared to normal physiological levels. 

Adulterants are products added to the urine with the purpose of masking or chemically destroying the presence of drugs or drug metabolites that the specimen may contain. Adulterant products can also be added to interfere with the testing reagents, or in the case of liquid synthetic urine, act as a preservative to maintain its stability over time.

  Some common oxidants used to attempt to alter urine drug test results are bleach, biocides, nitrate, chromate, iodate, and peroxidase. A positive result for oxidant activity should be considered when interpreting drug results.

 The most popular liquid urine product contains biocides and peroxides and if use din a reputable lab will result in “not consistent with human urine”

pH

The pH level of a urine sample indicates its acidity or alkalinity. Typically, urine pH values range from 4.5 to 9.0. However, if urine specimens are stored under unfavorable conditions such as high temperatures, the pH may rise as high as 9.5. Abnormally high or low pH levels can suggest tampering or adulteration of the sample.

When assessing urine samples, creatinine, specific gravity (SG), and pH are taken into account to determine their validity. All three criteria must fall within the range of normal human urine for a sample to be considered valid. 

 

 These tests are used to assess the validity of the urine specimen by determining its composition and consistency. A urine sample that falls outside the expected ranges for any of these parameters may be indicative of tampering or adulteration.

Urine States	Description
Diluted	Urine creatinine ≥ 2 mg/dL but < 20 mg/dL
	Specific gravity > 1.001 but < 1.030
Substituted	Urine creatinine < 2 mg/dL
	Specific gravity < 1.001 or > 1.020
Adulterated	pH < 3 or > 11
	Nitrite concentration > 500 mcg/mL
	Chromium concentration > 50 mcg/mL
	Presence of: Halogen (bleach, iodine, fluoride), glutaraldehyde, pyridine, surfactant

In addition to these methods, SVT also involves chain of custody procedures, including documentation and tracking of the sample from collection to testing. This ensures that the sample has not been tampered with or substituted during the collection process.

The use of SVT is essential for maintaining the integrity of urine drug screening programs. It provides a reliable mechanism for detecting attempts to alter or adulterate urine specimens and ensures accurate test results. SVT can help prevent false negatives or false positives, which can have significant consequences for individuals undergoing drug testing.

It is important to note that SVT is not foolproof and can be susceptible to manipulation by individuals attempting to cheat the system. However, the use of multiple SVT methods and stringent chain of custody procedures can help minimize the risk of tampering or substitution.

In conclusion, SVT is a critical component of urine drug screening programs. It involves various methods and techniques to assess the validity of urine specimens and detect attempts to tamper with or adulterate them. The use of SVT helps maintain the integrity of drug testing programs and ensures accurate test results.

 Watch a Sample Validly Test  on  Synthetic urine  

 showing proper validity levels of the FAKE IT synthetic urine