Important Guidance:
For optimal and clinically relevant results, samples should be collected under normative conditions, ensuring consistency in collection procedures and tube handling. Patients should maintain their routine diet, medications, and supplements unless specifically instructed otherwise by their healthcare provider. This approach ensures an accurate assessment based on their usual physiological state. Collect the first-morning urine sample upon waking.
Test Interference:
Test interference occurs when a food, supplement, or medication alters the sample or directly interferes with testing reagents. Test interference causes an inaccurate result (e.g., false positive, false negative, false higher, or false lower).
Biological Effects:
Even without interfering with the test, some substances can influence your body’s biomarkers, affecting your results by increasing or decreasing the biomarker. However, biological effects do not interfere with test performance, accuracy, or validity. Results will be accurate as measured.
RECOMMENDED: Preparing for the Test to Avoid Test Interference
- Medications: Avoid methylene blue, NAC for 48 hours before collection. Continue taking prescribed medications unless otherwise directed by your health care provider.
Hydration: Ensure adequate hydration by drinking 8 glasses of water per day for 2-3 days before the test. On the collection day, do not drink more than 8 oz of water 1 hour prior to urine collection.
OPTIONAL: Preparing for the Test to Avoid Biological Effects
- Diet: For 48 hours before collection, avoid consuming foods high in mycotoxins such as peanuts, corn, wheat, barley, rye, and cottonseed. Also, refrain from eating canned or packaged foods and foods stored in plastic containers. Limit consumption of fish and seafood 72 hours before collection.
- Supplements: Avoid detoxification supplements and binders such as activated charcoal, bentonite clay, chlorella, zeolite, or similar agents for at least 72 hours before collection. Avoid antioxidants like vitamin C and glutathione. Consult your health care provider before stopping any prescribed supplements.
Environmental Factors: Avoid sauna, steam, or intense physical exercise and exposure to environmental pollutants (e.g., cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes) for 24 hours before collection.
Sample Collection: WHEN TO COLLECT
- Avoid collection: If you have active bleeding or if you are menstruating.
- Fasting: Not Required.
- Collection Timing: Collect the first-morning urine sample upon waking.