Get Ready To Test With Us
- Fasting period is 10 to 12 hours.
- No food or drinks other than water during this time. Avoid beverages such as juice, coffee, or tea with sugar or creamer.
- If you're taking any medications, ask your doctor whether you should continue taking them as usual, or if there are any specific instructions.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity before the test.
- Avoid consuming alcohol for at least 24 hours before the test.
- Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up.
- Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up.
- Inform your healthcare provider about any factors that might affect your blood sugar levels, such as recent illnesses or changes in your diet or medication.
- If you feel anxious about needles or blood, let the phlebotomist know so they can make you more comfortable.
- Your healthcare provider will specify the fasting duration, which is usually around 2 hours.
- No food or drinks other than water during this time. Avoid beverages such as juice, coffee, or tea with sugar or creamer.
- Your healthcare provider may instruct you to eat a standard meal containing a specific amount of carbohydrates at a set time before the test.
- If you're taking any medications, including insulin or oral glucose-lowering drugs, ask your doctor whether you should continue taking them as usual, or if there are any specific instructions.
- Avoiding consuming meals that are high in carbohydrates, sugars, or fats.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity before the test.
- Avoid consuming alcohol for at least 24 hours before the test.
- Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up.
- Inform your healthcare provider about any factors that might affect your blood sugar levels, such as recent illnesses or changes in your diet or medication.
- If you feel anxious about needles or blood, let the phlebotomist know so they can make you more comfortable.
- Fasting period is 08 to 12 hours.
- No food or drinks other than water during this time. Avoid beverages such as juice, coffee, or tea with sugar or creamer.
- Inform your doctor about all medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal treatments you are taking, as some of these might affect your insulin levels.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity before the test..
- Avoid consuming alcohol and smoking for at least 24 hours before the test..
- Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up.
- If you feel anxious about needles or blood, let the phlebotomist know so they can make you more comfortable.
- Fasting period is 12 to 14 hours.
- No food or drinks other than water during this time. Avoid beverages such as juice, coffee, or tea with sugar or creamer.
- Inform your doctor about all medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal treatments you are taking, as some of these might affect your lipid levels.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity before the test.
- Avoid consuming alcohol and smoking for at least 24 hours before the test.
- Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up.
- If you feel anxious about needles or blood, let the phlebotomist know so they can make you more comfortable.
- Usually, the sterile sample container has a special scoop to help collect the sample without contaminating it.
- In some cases, you may be advised to avoid certain foods or medications before the test, as they could interfere with the results, therefore follow your doctor’s instructions.
- To ensure the sample is not contaminated, avoid getting urine or toilet water in the sample.
- Inform your doctor about all medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal treatments you are taking, as some of these might affect your test results.
- Some foods and supplements can change the color of your urine or interfere with the test so follow any dietary guidelines your doctor gives you. E.g.: beets, rhubarb, and vitamin C can affect urine color and chemistry.
- Use the sterile container provided by your doctor or laboratory for the urine sample.
- During sample collection:
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Clean the genital area with a cleansing pad or wipe (you may be given specific instructions or materials for this).
- Begin urinating into the toilet.
- While still urinating, position the container to catch urine midstream.
- Do not let the container touch your skin.
- After collecting enough urine, finish urinating into the toilet.
- If you can't deliver the sample to the lab immediately, you may need to store it in the refrigerator for a short time. However, it’s best to deliver it as soon as possible, typically within an hour of collection.
- Fasting period is 12 to 14 hours.
- No food or drinks other than water during this time. Avoid beverages such as juice, coffee, or tea with sugar or creamer.
- Inform your doctor about all medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal treatments you are taking, as some of these might affect your aldosterone levels.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity before the test.
- Avoid consuming alcohol and smoking for at least 24 hours before the test.
- Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up..
- If you feel anxious about needles or blood, let the phlebotomist know so they can make you more comfortable.
- Certain medications can significantly affect aldosterone test results, including diuretics, antihypertensive drugs, estrogen, and others. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking them temporarily.
- You may be advised to maintain or adjust your salt intake. Excessive or too little salt consumption can influence aldosterone levels.
- Your doctor may also check your potassium levels before performing the aldosterone test since aldosterone affects potassium levels. Abnormal potassium levels might need to be addressed before testing.
- Avoid consuming licorice (which can affect cortisol levels and potentially influence aldosterone testing) for at least two weeks before the test.
- Aldosterone levels can vary with body position. You might be instructed to remain seated or lie down for a certain period before the test.
- The test may need to be scheduled at a specific time of day to ensure accuracy, as aldosterone levels can fluctuate.
- Normally, aldosterone testing is done through a blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm. In some cases, a urine test over 24 hours may also be requested.
- Fasting period for at least 8 hours (usually overnight) before the test, but not more than 14 hours.
- No food or drinks other than water during this time. Avoid beverages such as juice, coffee, or tea with sugar or creamer.
- Inform your doctor about all medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal treatments you are taking, as some of these might affect your lipid levels.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity before the test.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and smoking on the day before and the day of the test..
- Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up..
- If you feel anxious about needles or blood, let the phlebotomist know so they can make you more comfortable..
- For at least 3 days before the test, eat a diet that contains a normal amount of carbohydrates (about 150 g per day).
- The test begins with drawing a blood sample to measure your fasting blood glucose level.
- You will then drink water containing a specific amount of glucose.
- Additional blood samples will be taken at specific intervals, typically after 1 hour, 2 hours, and possibly 3 hours, to measure how your body is processing the glucose.
- Fasting period is 08 to 12 hours.
- No food or drinks other than water during this time. Avoid beverages such as juice, coffee, or tea with sugar or creamer.
- Inform your doctor about all medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal treatments you are taking, as some of these might affect your prolactin levels.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity before the test.
- Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that can easily be rolled up.
- If you feel anxious about needles or blood, let the phlebotomist know so they can make you more comfortable.
- Stress can affect hormone levels, including prolactin. Try to minimize stress on the day of the test through relaxation techniques or scheduling the test at a time of day that is least stressful for you.
- Avoid nipple stimulation before the test, as this can increase prolactin levels.
- Also, ensure the blood pressure cuff is not placed on the same arm used for the blood draw, as this can potentially affect the test results.
- If you have had recent breast exams or other procedures that might affect your breast area, inform the lab technician or your doctor, as this could influence prolactin levels.
- Schedule the test appropriately preferably in the morning as prolactin levels are highest during REM sleep late in the night, and can remain elevated in the early morning.
- Collect the sample in the morning, if possible, after waking up. This timing is recommended because sputum tends to collect in the airways overnight.
- Before collecting the sample, rinse your mouth with water. Do not use antiseptic mouthwash, as it can kill bacteria that need to be tested.
- Ensure your hands are clean to avoid contaminating the sample container.
- Your doctor or laboratory will provide a sterile, leak-proof container for the sputum sample. Make sure not to touch the inside of the container or the lid.
- For sample collection:
- Take several deep breaths to help loosen the sputum in your lungs.
- Cough deeply to produce sputum from your lungs. It's important that the sample comes from deep within the lungs and is not just saliva or postnasal drip.
- Open the container while avoiding touching its inside surface.
- Spit the sputum directly into it. You may need to cough several times to get a sufficient sample.
- Close the container tightly to ensure it’s sealed and won't leak.
- Transport the sample to the designated laboratory or healthcare provider as soon as possible, generally within.
- hours of collection for the most accurate results.
- If there is any delay in delivering the sample to the lab, store it as instructed by your healthcare provider.
Additional Tips
- Do not eat or drink anything except water for 1-2 hours before collecting the sample, to reduce the risk of contaminating the sputum with food particles.
- If you’re having trouble producing sputum, try steam inhalation (with your doctor's approval) to help loosen mucus in the lungs.
- Obtain sterile collection materials from your healthcare provider or the laboratory.
- Before sample collection:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to minimize the risk of contaminating the sample.
- If you're a woman, spread the labia apart.
- If you're a man, retract the foreskin if necessary. This step is to prevent bacteria from the skin around the genital area from contaminating the sample.
- Clean the urethral opening and surrounding areas with the antiseptic wipes provided, or as instructed by your healthcare provider.
- Wipe front to back to avoid contamination from the anal area.
- During sample collection:
- Begin urinating into the toilet to clear the urethra of any bacteria.
- Collect a midstream urine sample. This means allowing some urine to pass, before placing the collection container under the urine stream, to catch the middle portion of your urine stream, without stopping the flow of urine..
- Avoid letting the container touch your body to prevent contamination.
- Fill the container with the required amount of urine.
- After sample collection:
- Once you have collected enough urine, finish urinating into the toilet.
- Carefully tighten the lid on the container to ensure it's sealed and won't leak.
- Wash your hands again after handling the urine sample.
- Transport the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible.
- If there's a delay, store the container in a refrigerator or as directed by your doctor.
- Inform your doctor about all medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal treatments you are taking, as some of these might affect your VMA levels.
- Drugs to be avoided 3 days prior to the test: Aminosalicylic Acid, Aspirin, Imipramine, MAO Inhibitors, Mephenesin, Methocarbamol, Nalidixic Acid, Norepinephrine, Oxytetracycline, Chlorpromazine, Clofibrate, Glyceryl Guaiacolate, PSP, Penicillin, Phenazopyridine, Reserpine, Sulfa Drugs, Epinephrine, Insulin, Morphine
- Foods to be avoided 3 days prior to the test: bananas, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, and tea.
- For sample collection:
- You will be given a large container for collecting urine.
- This container may contain preservatives, so handle it with care and avoid direct contact with the substance.
- Store the container in a cool, dark place between uses, such as a refrigerator, if advised.
- During sample collection:
- Begin the collection process in the morning after you wake up.
- Urinate into the toilet for your first urination of the day and note the time.
- This marks the beginning of your 24-hour collection period.
- From this point forward, every time you urinate over the next 24 hours, do so into the provided container.
- After each sample collection keep the urine collection container capped and refrigerated if recommended.
- After sample collection:
- After 24 hours (on the second day), urinate into the collection container for the last time, marking the end of the collection period.
- Note the time to ensure the collection period is accurate.
- Make sure the container is sealed and labeled correctly with your name, the date, and the time frame of the collection.
- Return the collected urine to the lab or healthcare provider as soon as possible, following their instructions.
- If the collection container has preservatives, handle it carefully and avoid skin contact with the liquid.
Additional Tips
- Inform your doctor about all medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal treatments you are taking, as some of these might affect your metanephrine levels.
- Collect the urine sample in the morning, ideally between 6 AM and 10 AM. This timing is ideal because metanephrine levels tend to be highest in the morning.
- Foods to be avoided 3 days prior to the test: bananas, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, and tea.
- Before sample collection: :
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Use a clean and dry container provided by your healthcare provider or laboratory for collecting the urine sample.
- During sample collection:
- Begin urinating into the toilet to clear the urethra of any bacteria.
- Collect a midstream urine sample. This means allowing some urine to pass, before placing the collection container under the urine stream, to catch the middle portion of your urine stream, without stopping the flow of urine.
- Avoid letting the container touch your body to prevent contamination.
- Fill the container with the required amount of urine.
- After sample collection:
- Once you have collected enough urine, finish urinating into the toilet.
- Carefully tighten the lid on the container to ensure it's sealed and won't leak.
- Wash your hands again after handling the urine sample.
- Transport the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible.
- If there's a delay, store the container in a refrigerator or as directed by your doctor.
- Avoid consuming certain foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea, chocolate, bananas, and vanilla, for at least 24 hours before the test, as they can affect metanephrine levels.
- Inform your healthcare provider if you're pregnant or menstruating, as these conditions can also affect test results.