Test Details
Lab Company: Doctor's Data
Sample Type: Saliva
Collection Location: At Home
The Melatonin Profile provides information about a patient's sleep/wake cycle. It is useful for patients suffering from sleep disturbances. Correct timing is very important for this collection.
Key Details
Correct timing is very important for this collection.
If you are a menstruating woman, collect 5-9 days before the end of your cycle.
If you are taking hormones or glucocorticoids, see below for details on timing.
You must avoid certain foods, medications, and products prior to collection.
Samples should remain in the freezer until they are shipped.
Samples should be shipped Monday - Friday only.
Do NOT place samples in a FedEx drop box.
Preparation & Timing
If you are a menstruating woman, collect 5-9 days before the end of your cycle.
For a 28-day cycle, collect one day during Days 19-23 (Day 1 is the first day of your period).
If you are not a menstruating woman, you can collect any day.
Taking hormones or glucocorticoids?
Topical hormones (cream)
Your last dose should be 12-24 hours before collecting your first sample.
Sublingual hormones or troches
Your last dose should be 24-36 hours before collecting your first sample.
Follow this dose with 2 full glasses of water to cleanse the tissues.
Oral hormones
Can be used as normal.
Injections, subcutaneous pellets, and transdermal patches
Collect your samples at the halfway point between doses.
Example: 3 days after a once-a-week injection
Cortisol/glucocorticoid supplements
Consult your healthcare provider regarding timing and supplement dosage.
2 Days Before Collection
Avoid the following foods for 48 hours prior to your first collection.
Nuts
Nut butter
Fruit
Fruit juice
Wine
Rice
Avoid melatonin supplements for at least 36 hours prior to your first collection.
Day of Collection
Avoid the following foods, medications, and products the entire day of collection.
Nuts
Nut butter
Fruit
Fruit juice
Wine
Rice
Foods containing caffeine
Drinks containing caffeine (including coffee)
Anti-aging creams
Dietary supplements
Non-essential medications
Do not discontinue any prescription medication without consulting your healthcare provider.
Topical hormones
Sublingual hormones
You may use cosmetics on the day of collection.
Prior to each saliva collection,
DO NOT drink or eat anything 1 hour prior.
DO NOT brush your teeth, floss, or have dental work done 30 minutes prior.
The first saliva collection must be 30 minutes after waking.
This timing is critical.
Collection Instructions
Correct timing is critical for this test. Make sure you follow the schedule below, particularly collecting the first sample exactly 30 minutes after waking.
Collection Schedule
Morning (pink tube): 30 minutes after waking, before breakfast
Collect prior to eating, drinking, brushing your teeth, or flossing.
Noon (green tube): before lunch
Do not eat or drink for 1 hour before collection.
Do not brush or floss your teeth for 30 minutes before collection.
Evening (orange tube): before dinner
Do not eat or drink for 1 hour before collection.
Do not brush or floss your teeth for 30 minutes before collection.
Night (blue tube): before bedtime
Do not eat or drink for 1 hour before collection.
Do not brush or floss your teeth for 30 minutes before collection.
Collection Instructions
Wash your hands.
Rinse your mouth with water.
Wait 10 minutes before beginning collection.
Choose the correct tube for the collection time (see Collection Schedule for more information).
Fill the tube 3/4 full.
You can use the included straws to funnel saliva into the tube.
It is okay to have some bubbles in your sample.
Snap the tube closed tightly.
Write the date and time of collection on the bag and requisition form.
Place the tube and the provided ice pack into the freezer immediately.
Repeat steps 1-8 for each sample collection.
When you have collected all four samples, place all four tubes into the plastic bag with the absorbent material.
Keep the samples and the provided ice pack in the freezer until time to ship.
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.
Shipping
Samples should remain in the freezer until they are shipped.
Samples must be shipped Monday - Friday only.
To prepare your samples for shipping,
Place the insulated cooler into the cardboard kit box.
Place the plastic bag containing the frozen specimen tubes into the cooler.
Place the frozen ice pack into the cooler.
Place the completed requisition form into the cooler.
Place the lid on the cooler and seal the cardboard box.
Place the box into the FedEx Clinical Pak.
Fill out the Billable Stamp and place it on the Clinical Pak.
Ship using FedEx.
DO NOT place your samples in a FedEx drop box.
You can schedule a FedEx pickup for your package by calling FedEx at 1-800-463-3339.
At the greeting, say, "Schedule a pick-up."
At the next prompt, say," Schedule a pick-up using a label or stamp."
When asked if your waybill has the word 'stamp,' say, "yes."
You will 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 [email protected]. For test-specific questions, contact Doctor's Data by calling 800-323-2784 or emailing Doctor's Data customer service at [email protected].