To ensure accurate and efficient testing, please follow these instructions:
Fasting Instructions:
Some tests require fasting. Fasting only needs to be for 12 hours prior to collection. Please check with your healthcare provider or refer to the specific test requirements provided by your physician during your lab order visit. Fasting means no food or drinks, except for water, during the specified fasting period. Avoid any beverages, including coffee, tea, juice, and soda, as they can affect test results.
Medication Compliance:
If you deviate from your provider’s medication orders since your last appointment or had labs drawn but were not following exactly what was prescribed by your provider for 6-8 weeks prior to drawing your labs, your lab results can be inaccurate. Please ensure you inform us of any compliance issues with what we prescribe/plan, so we can adjust labs and the treatment plan accordingly
Take your regular medications as prescribed; If you are having hormones tested, it is imperative that you are on your dose consistently for at least 6-8 weeks; if you are on injections, you are having your labs drawn mid-week injection schedule, etc.). If you deviate from your provider’s medication orders since your last appointment, or if labs were drawn but you were not following exactly what your provider prescribed for 6-8 weeks prior to the lab draw, your lab results can be inaccurate. Please ensure you inform us of any compliance issues with what we prescribe/plan, so we can adjust labs and the treatment plan accordingly
*For our Hormone Patients Recommended Lab collection timing for best results:6-8 weeks post initiation or dose changes and:
- Progesterone:
- Menopausal:
- -If checking labs > 8 hrs after taking oral progesterone, serum level will be back to baseline in most cases (almost zero)
- Pre-Menopausal:
- -Test one week after ovulation (Day 21-ish) to get peak luteal progesterone
- Testosterone:
- Symptoms matter more than lab values. Testosterone therapy can be helpful even if her baseline testosterone is not low. * Side effects may take 3 months or more to become apparent
- Route Specific:
- – Patches- test the day before it is due to be changed
- – Pellets-6-8 weeks after placement
- – Injections: On Nadir of injection schedule (i.e. day before next injection is due)
Lab Assay Interferences:
Some medications can affect lab results. It is imperative that you refrain from the following:
- No biotin for 48 hours (if greater than 5000 mg/day)
- High Dose Vitamin C (anything greater than 15 g; hold for 1 wk)
- Any vitamin testing should be done after being off of supplements for at least 3 days, preferably 1 week
*If receiving a prostate lab, it should be drawn prior to receiving a digital rectal exam.
Results and Follow-up:
Your provider will discuss the results of your labs once they receive them and have the chance to review them in combination with the symptomatology form that you will fill out to give you appropriate guidance and recommendations based on these findings.
*Please notify us after you have had your labs drawn to ensure you are booked 2 weeks later to review your results with a provider!
Note: It is crucial to follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider or the laboratory staff accurately. Deviations from the instructions may affect the reliability and accuracy of the test results. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our laboratory or consult your healthcare provider for clarification.
For additional information on pricing, custom lab ordering vs. panel lab ordering and cash vs insurance pay, please visit our website under lab services as well as our booking site for cash pay pricing details!