Test Details
Lab Company: Doctor's Data
Sample Type: Urine
Collection Location: At Home
The Urine Porphyrins test measures the levels of various urinary porphyrins to help diagnose a variety of diseases, including genetic disorders, metabolic diseases, and toxic chemicals. These instructions are for a 24-hour urine collection.
Key Details
If you are taking antibiotics, finish the medication course, wait 48 hours, and then collect your sample.
Avoid non-essential supplements and medications 48 hours prior to collection.
Do not consume excessive amounts of liquid the day before collection.
Do not collect while menstruating.
You will be collecting your urine for 24 hours.
The sample can only be shipped Monday - Friday.
The sample and the provided ice pack should be frozen for at least 6 hours prior to shipping.
Keep in the freezer until you ship.
Do not use a FedEx drop box to ship your sample.
Preparation & Timing
If you are taking antibiotics, finish the medication course, wait 48 hours, and then collect your sample.
Avoid non-essential supplements and medications 48 hours prior to collection.
Do not discontinue any prescription medications without consulting your healthcare provider.
Do not consume excessive amounts of liquid the day before collection.
Do not collect while menstruating.
You will be collecting your urine for 24 hours.
Collection Instructions
When you wake up on day 1, urinate and do NOT collect.
Beginning with your second urination of the day, collect urine in any clean collection cup or container.
Pour the urine into the large 24-hour collection container.
Place the collection container into the refrigerator.
Repeat steps 2-4 each time you urinate during the collection period.
Collection period: 2nd urination of day 1 - 1st urination of day 2
After the collection period is over, place the collection container on a level surface.
Read the volume from the markings on the container.
You will mark this on the requisition form and on the specimen vial label.
Mix the urine by shaking the collection container.
Pour the urine into the specimen vial.
Fill the vial to the fill line. Do NOT underfill.
Do NOT touch or discard the acid preservative.
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, and the total 24-hour volume on the specimen vial.
Place the vial into the plastic ziplock bag and seal well.
Place the urine sample and the provided gel ice pack in the freezer for at least 6 hours.
Keep in the freezer until you 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
Ship Monday - Friday only.
Freeze the ice pack and urine sample for at least 6 hours prior to shipping.
To prepare your samples for shipping,
Place the vial in the plastic ziplock bag and seal well.
Place the urine sample and provided gel ice pack in the freezer for at least 6 hours. Keep in the freezer until you ship.
Place the styrofoam shell in the cardboard test kit box.
Place the frozen ice pack in the bottom of the styrofoam shell.
Place the plastic ziplock bag with the frozen sample into the styrofoam shell.
Close the styrofoam shell.
Place the styrofoam shell in the cardboard shipping box.
Place the completed test requisition form in the cardboard box.
Close the cardboard box.
Place the cardboard box in the FedEx Clinical Pak.
Fill in your information on the Billable Stamp and place it on the FedEx Clinical Pak.
Keep the customer receipt so that you have the tracking number.
Ship using FedEx.
Do NOT place your sample 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 3-8 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
[PDF] How to Collect Your Sample
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 support at info@doctorsdata.com.