Metabolism Panel

Test Details

Lab Company: Ayumetrix
Sample Type: Saliva, Blood Spot 
Collection Location: At Home

The Metabolism panel provides an assessment of hormones implicated in regulating overall metabolism and weight gain or loss, especially during times of increased stress.                 

🔑 Key Details 📦 Shipping
⏰ Preparation & Timing 📊 Results
🧪 Collection Instructions 📚 More Resources
💳 Requisition & Payment
💬 Questions?

Key Details 

  • You will collect a saliva sample and a blood spot sample. 
  • If you are female, you will need to time your collection appropriately with your menstrual cycle. 
  • If you are taking hormones, you may need to time your test appropriately around your doses. 
  • You must avoid certain foods and activities on the day of saliva sample collection.
  • Ship your samples as soon as possible after collection.

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Preparation & Timing

  • You will collect one saliva sample and a blood spot sample.
  • You must collect your samples within 30 minutes of waking for the day. 
  • If you are a male or non-menstruating female, you can collect your samples on any day.
  • If you are menstruating female, 
    • Regular cycles: Collect your samples between days 19-21 of your cycle (where day 1 is the first day of your period).
    • Irregular cycles: Collect your samples any day you are not bleeding. 
    • Find more information on timing your test properly HERE.
  • DO NOT collect your samples if you are sick. 
  • You can continue to take most of your supplements and vitamins. Please note any supplements you take on collection day on the requisition form. 
  • If you take hormones, please see the timing information below.

Preparing for Your Saliva Collection

  • 3 days prior to saliva collection
    • DO NOT use any over-the-counter anti-aging creams. 
  • On the day of saliva collection, 
    • DO NOT drink alcohol. 
    • DO NOT use any lip products (lipstick, chapstick, etc.).
    • DO NOT use hormones.
  • Within 60 minutes of saliva collection, 
    • DO NOT eat a big meal. 
  • Within 30 minutes of saliva collection,
    • DO NOT eat.
    • DO NOT drink anything but water.
    • DO NOT brush your teeth.
    • DO NOT exercise. 
    • DO NOT smoke or use tobacco products.

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Preparing for Your Blood Spot Collection

  • No special preparation is needed.

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Hormone Users

Please consult with your healthcare provider prior to discontinuing any prescription medications.

  • 7-Keto-DHEA
    • Avoid taking this medication for the 3 days prior to sample collection. 
  • Topical Hormones 
    • 3 days prior to collection: 
      • Avoid applying hormones to your face or neck.
      • Avoid applying hormones to exposed parts of your body.
      • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after applying hormones.
    • 2 days prior to collection: 
      • Avoid applying hormones using your fingers. 
      • Avoid applying hormones to exposed parts of your body.
      • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after applying hormones.
    • DO NOT use on the day of collection. 
    • Collect your samples 12-24 hours after your last dose.
  • Sublingual Hormones or Troches 
    • Collect your samples 24-36 hours after your last dose.
    • DO NOT use on the day of collection. 
  • Oral Hormones 
    • Progesterone: Collect your samples 6-10 hours after your last dose.
    • All other hormones: Collect your samples 12-24 hours after your last dose.
  • Hormone Injections, Pellets, or Transdermal Patches 
    • Collect your samples halfway between doses. 
  • Cortisol Supplements 
    • Talk to your healthcare provider about timing if you are taking cortisol for adrenal support. 
    • Avoid cortisol-containing products for 5 days prior to sample collection. 

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Collection Instructions

You will collect TWO different samples.

Saliva Collection

  1. You will collect your sample within 30 minutes of waking for the day.  
  2. Rinse your mouth with water 5 minutes prior to sample collection.
  3. Wash your hands and dry with a clean towel.
  4. Open the kit and get only one collection tube.
  5. Close the kit immediately.
  6. Unscrew the cap on the tube.
  7. Pool saliva in your mouth.
    1. TIP: It may help to yawn or think about your favorite food. 
  8. Tilt your head forward. 
  9. Push saliva down into the tube using your tongue. 
  10. Fill the tube at least 3/4 full (excluding bubbles). 
  11. Screw the cap tightly on the tube.
  12. Write the following information on the tube.
    1. Full name
    2. Date of collection
    3. Time of collection
  13. Place the sample tube inside the ziplock bag.
  14. Close the ziplock bag tightly. 
  15. Place the ziplock bag into the freezer. 
    1. Your sample will stay in the freezer until shipped.
  16. Write the following information in section 7 of the test requisition form. 
    1. Date of collection
    2. Time of collection

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Blood Spot Collection

  1. Open the provided collection card and lay it on a flat, clean surface.
    1. DO NOT touch the collection circles.
  2. Write the following information on the card.
    1. Full name
    2. Date of collection
    3. Time of collection
  3. Wash your hands with warm water.
  4. Dry your hands with a clean towel.
  5. Rub your hands together and swing your arms to encourage blood flow. 
  6. Choose the finger you will prick. 
    1. It is recommended that you use your middle or ring finger on your non-dominant hand. 
  7. Use the alcohol pad to clean the chosen finger.
  8. Allow your finger to dry for 20-30 seconds.
  9. Open one of the lancets by twisting off the cap.
  10. Press the small, white end against the outer edge of your cleaned finger until you hear a click. 
  11. Wipe away the first drop of blood with the sterile gauze pad.
  12. Position your finger above one of the circles on the collection card.
  13. Gently massage the entire length of your finger to form a large, hanging blood drop. 
    1. DO NOT squeeze your finger or touch your fingertip. 
  14. Touch the blood drop to the center of the circle on the card. 
    1. DO NOT touch the card with your finger.
  15. Fill all of the circles on the card.
    1. Only ONE blood drop per circle.
    2. If you are unable to get enough blood with the first finger, repeat steps 6-14 with another finger and the second lancet to complete the card.
  16. When all the circles have been filled, wipe away the blood from your finger using the gauze pad and apply the bandage.
  17. Leave the collection card open to dry for at least 30 minutes.
  18. Once the card is dry, close the top flap.
  19. Place the card into the biohazard pouch and seal. 
  20. Place the biohazard pouch into the refrigerator until ready to ship.

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Requisition & Payment

  • Your kit has been prepaid. You DO NOT need to pay anything extra.
  • Instructions on how to fill out your requisition can be found HERE.
    • Since you pre-paid for your tests, you do not need to fill in the payment information on any of these forms.

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Shipping

  • Ship your samples as soon as possible after collection. 
  • To prepare your samples for shipping,
    • Close the top flap on the card once it is dry.
    • Place the blood spot collection card into the biohazard pouch.
    • Seal the biohazard pouch. 
    • Place the biohazard pouch into the test kit box.
    • Remove the ziplock bag containing the saliva sample from the freezer. 
    • Place the ziplock bag into the test kit box.
    • Place the completed test requisition form into the test kit box. 
    • Place the test kit box into the provided return mailer. 
    • Place the prepaid shipping label on the mailer. 
  • Make a note of the return tracking number on the label so you can track your samples back to the lab. 

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Results

  • Results should be released to your provider 3-5 business days after your samples are received at the lab. We cannot guarantee processing time. 
  • Your provider will notify you when your results are in and schedule a follow-up appointment for you to review them together. 

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More Resources

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Questions?

For general questions, email Rupa Health at support@rupahealth.com. For test-specific questions, contact Ayumetrix by calling 800-215-8898 or chatting with support.