Test Details
Lab Company: Doctor's Data
Sample Type: Urine, Saliva
Collection Location: At Home
The NeuroAdrenal Profile provides an assessment of HPA axis function and diurnal cortisol. These instructions are for the first or second morning (random) collection.
Key Details
Certain foods should be avoided for 24-48 hours prior to and during collection.
Avoid strenuous exercise and the use of tobacco or nicotine products for 24 hours prior to and during collection.
Avoid supplements and medications on the day of collection, if possible.
You will be collecting either your first or second morning urination.
Samples can only be shipped Monday - Friday.
The samples and the provided ice pack should be frozen for at least 4-6 hours prior to shipping.
Keep them in the freezer until you ship.
Preparation & Timing
If you are a menstruating woman, collect one day during days 19-23 of your menstrual cycle (assuming a 28-day cycle).
Day 1 of your cycle is the first day of your period.
If you are taking topical hormones,
Your last dose prior to collection should be 12-24 hours before collecting your first sample.
DO NOT use them during the day of saliva collection.
If you are taking sublingual hormones or troches,
Your last dose prior to collection should be 24-36 hours before collecting your first sample.
Drink 2 full glasses of water after taking your last dose to clean the tissues.
DO NOT take them during the day of saliva collection.
If you are taking hormone injections, subcutaneous pellets, or transdermal patches,
Collect your samples at the halfway point between doses.
If you are taking oral hormones (pills) or transdermal patches,
Use as prescribed on the day of collection.
If you are taking a cortisol supplement, glucocorticoid, or cortisol-containing medication, consult with your healthcare provider prior to collecting your samples.
It is recommended to stop using these products 5 days prior to sample collection.
Consult with your healthcare provider prior to discontinuing any prescription medications.
Avoid the following foods for 2 days before and during collection:
Avocados
Eggplant
Tomatoes
Bananas
Melons
Pineapple
Grapefruit
Plums
Nuts
Nut butter
Wine
Cheese
Rice
Chocolate
Avoid the following foods, products, and activities for 24 hours prior to and during collection:
Alcohol
Coffee
Tea
Caffeinated beverages
Strenuous exercise
Tobacco products
Nicotine products
Anti-aging creams
Avoid all supplements and medications on the day of collection.
Consult with your healthcare practitioner prior to discontinuing any prescription medications.
You will be collecting either your first or second morning urination.
For your saliva collection,
DO NOT drink or eat anything for 1 hour prior to collection.
DO NOT brush or floss your teeth or have dental work done for 30 minutes prior to collection.
Collection Instructions
Saliva Collection
Collection Schedule - You MUST follow this schedule.
Collection 1: 30 minutes after waking (pink tube)
Collection 2: noon/before lunch (green tube)
Collection 3: evening/before dinner (orange tube)
Collection 4: night/right before bed (blue tube)
Wash your hands.
Rinse your mouth with water.
Wait 10 minutes before beginning collection.
Collect your saliva into the appropriate tube (see schedule above).
Fill the tube 3/4 full (bubbles are okay).
You can use the included straws to help funnel saliva into the tube.
If you have trouble producing saliva, try
Yawning
Thinking of your favorite food
Touching your tongue to the roof of your mouth.
When the tube is 3/4 full, snap the tube closed tightly.
Write the date and time of collection on the tube and requisition form.
Place the saliva tube in the freezer immediately.
Repeat steps 2-9 for each of the four collections.
When all four tubes have been collected, place them in the plastic bag with the absorbent material.
Keep all saliva tubes in the freezer until you are ready to ship them.
Urine Collection
Collect either your first or second morning urination.
Collect a midstream urine sample in any clean collection cup or container.
A collection cup is not provided with the collection kit.
Open the provided specimen vial.
DO NOT touch or discard the acid preservative.
Pour the urine into the specimen vial.
Fill the vial to the FILL LINE.
DO NOT underfill.
Close the vial tightly.
Gently shake the vial to mix the urine and preservative.
Write your name, date of birth, and the date and time of collection on the specimen vial.
Place the vial into the plastic ziplock bag with the absorbent material and seal well.
Place the urine sample in the freezer for at least 4-6 hours.
Keep in the freezer until you ship.
Freeze the provided ice pack for at least 4-6 hours.
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.
Make sure to note on the requisition form whether you collected your first or second morning urination.
Shipping
Ship Monday - Friday only.
Freeze the ice pack for at least 4-6 hours prior to shipping.
To prepare your samples for shipping,
Remove the urine sample and saliva samples from the freezer.
Place the insulated cooler into the cardboard test kit box.
Place the urine sample into the insulated cooler.
Place the saliva samples into the insulated cooler.
Place the frozen ice pack into the insulated cooler.
Place the completed test requisition form into the insulated cooler.
Place the lid on the cooler and close the cardboard box.
Place the cardboard box into the FedEx Clinical Pak.
Fill in your information on the Billable Stamp and place it on the FedEx Clinical Pak.
Keep the customer receipt.
Make a note of your tracking number so that you can track the sample back to the lab.
Ship using FedEx.
DO NOT place your samples in a FedEx drop box.
You can schedule a FedEx pickup by calling 1-800-463-3339.
At the automated greeting, say, "schedule a pickup."
At the next prompt, say, "schedule a pickup with a label or stamp."
You will be asked if the waybill says "stamp" - say, "yes."
Then give your address information.
Results
Results should be released to your provider 5-7 business 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.
More Resources
Questions?
For general questions, email Rupa Health at support@rupahealth.com. For test-specific questions, contact Doctor's Data by calling 800-323-2784 or emailing Doctor's Data customer service at info@doctorsdata.com.