View Step-By-Step Instructions
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.
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 taking prescribed medications unless otherwise directed by your health care provider. Inform the lab if you're on any medications that may potentially cause interference.
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.
Skin Preparation: Avoid applying lotions, creams, or alcohol-based sanitizers on the collection site before sampling. Residual substances can contaminate the sample or affect clot formation.
OPTIONAL: Preparing for the Test to Avoid Biological Effects
Diet: Maintain your usual diet. Avoid high-dose fortified foods or energy drinks for 48 hours prior to collection. Avoid alcohol consumption, excessive caffeine, and heavily processed foods for 24 hours before collection.
Supplements: Avoid taking vitamin, mineral, or antioxidant supplements 24 hours before collection unless prescribed. Consult with your health care provider before discontinuing any prescribed supplements.
Environmental Factors: Avoid intense physical exercise and exposure to environmental pollutants (e.g., cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes) 24 hours before the test.
Sample Collection: WHEN TO COLLECT
Avoid collection: If you have active bleeding or open cuts on the intended fingertip.
Fasting: Recommended. Fast for 8 hours before sample collection.
Collection Timing: Samples may be collected at any convenient time of the day, unless otherwise instructed.