Metals Hair Test

Preparation & Timing

• DO NOT collect hair that has been treated in any of the following ways:
  • Dyed
  • Bleached
  • Permed
  • Otherwise chemically treated
• Collect only head or pubic hair. 
  • DO NOT mix head and pubic hair together.

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Collection Instructions

1. Set up the scale by bending the black tabs down to form a fulcrum.
   
2. Place the scale on a level surface. 
3. Use stainless steel scissors to cut your hair. 
   1. Collect only head or pubic hair.
   2. DO NOT mix head and pubic hair together.
4. If you are using head hair, 
   1. Cut hair from the back of the head using stainless steel scissors. 
   2. Cut hair as close to the scalp as possible. 
   3. Go to step 6.
5.  If you are using pubic hair, 
   1. Cut hair using stainless steel scissors.
   2. Cut hair as close to the skin as possible.
   3. Go to step 6. 
6. As each piece of hair is cut, save only the 1 inch of hair closest to the skin. 
   1. Cut off and discard the rest.
7. Place the saved hair on the scale. 
8. Keep cutting hair and adding hair to the scale until it tips. 
   1. Cut hair from 5 or 6 areas around the scalp or pubic area. 
9. Once the scale has tipped, remove the hair from the scale and put it in the plastic bag. 
10. Repeat steps 3-9 to fill the scale for a second time. 
    1. You should tip the scale twice. 
11. Write the following information on the plastic bag.
    1. Patient's name
    2. Physician's name + "Rupa Health"
    3. Collection date

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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.
  • DO NOT fill out any information on gplforms.com.

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Shipping

• To prepare your sample for shipping,    
  • Place the plastic bag containing the hair into the mailing envelope.
  • Place the completed test requisition form into the mailing envelope. 
• Ship via USPS.
• Make a note of the tracking number so that you can track your sample back to the lab.

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Results

• Results should be released to your provider 7-21 days after 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. 
• Your provider may choose to release your results to you. Rupa cannot release your results without provider authorization.

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More Resources

• Test Information
  • Metals Hair Test Info Page
  • The Great Plains Laboratory Patient FAQ
• Collection Instructions
  • [PDF] How to Collect Your Sample
  • [VIDEO] How to Collect Your Sample

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Questions?

For general questions, email Rupa Health at support@rupahealth.com. For test-specific questions, contact The Great Plains Laboratory by calling 1-800-288-0383 or chatting with support.