Important Guidance:
To ensure reliable and clinically relevant results, samples should be collected under your normal daily conditions, following consistent collection and handling procedures. Continue your regular diet, medications, and supplements unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise. This helps the test accurately reflect your usual physiological balance.
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: Continue prescribed medications unless otherwise advised by your healthcare provider. Inform the laboratory if you are taking multivitamins, mineral supplements, or medications that may influence nutrient absorption or metabolism (e.g., iron, zinc, or folate supplements).
- 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 excessive intake of foods or beverages with vitamins or minerals (e.g., energy drinks, cereals, or multivitamins).
- Supplements: Avoid non-prescribed vitamin and mineral supplements (e.g., vitamin D, B, magnesium, zinc, iron) for 72 hours before collection. Consult your health care provider before stopping any prescribed supplements.
- Environmental Factors: Avoid intense physical exercise and exposure to environmental pollutants (e.g., cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes) 24 hours before collection.
Sample Collection: WHEN TO COLLECT
- Fasting: Recommended. Fast at least 8 hours before sample collection.
- Collection Timing: Schedule your blood draw in the morning after an overnight fast for the most accurate micronutrient levels.