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All CollectionsLab Test InstructionsGenova Diagnostics
Intestinal Permeability Assessment
Intestinal Permeability Assessment
Updated over 3 months ago

Test Details

Lab Company: Genova Diagnostics
​ Sample Type: Urine
​ Collection Location: At Home

The Intestinal Permeability Assessment assesses small intestinal absorption and barrier function in the bowel to help diagnose malabsorption and intestinal permeability/leaky gut.

Key Details

  • DO NOT register your test online with Genova.

  • Certain conditions and medications may affect test results. See a full list below.

  • If you have had an allergic reaction to sorbitol, xylitol, or lactulose, do NOT take this test.

  • You must fast for at least 8 hours prior to collecting your sample.

  • You must avoid certain foods on the day of collection.

  • Ship your samples as soon as possible after collection.

  • Rupa Health recommends shipping Monday - Thursday only to avoid shipment delays.

Preparation & Timing

  • If you have any of the following conditions, you should NOT take this test.

    • An abnormally high glucose level

    • Diabetes and a fasting urine glucose concentration of >105 mg/dl

    • Lactose-restricted diet

  • If you have had allergic reactions to any of the following, you should NOT take this test.

    • Sorbitol

    • Xylitol

    • Lactulose

    • This includes allergic reactions to foods, dietary supplements, dental products, or medicines containing these products.

  • Avoid the following medications for 72 hours prior to collecting your sample.

    • Aspirin

    • Anti-inflammatory drugs

    • Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium hydroxide

      • Maalox liquid

      • Equate

      • Milk of Magnesia

      • Rolaids

      • Mylanta

    • Any drugs containing sorbitol

    • Any drugs containing mannitol

    • Do NOT discontinue any prescription medications without consulting your healthcare provider.

  • You must fast for at least 8 hours prior to collecting your sample.

  • Avoid the following foods on the day of collection.

    • Fruits, including:

      • Fruit juice

      • Fruit jam

      • Fruit jelly

    • Soft drinks containing high-fructose corn syrup

    • Foods containing high-fructose corn syrup

    • Any dairy product

    • Dietetic chocolate

    • Honey

    • Mushrooms

    • Beans

    • Legumes (including peanuts)

    • Celery

    • Chewing gum

    • Any other food containing fructose

  • Once you have drunk the test drink,

    • DO NOT eat or drink for 2 hours.

    • Drink a glass of water after 2 hours.

    • Drink at least 1 cup of water every hour until the end of the collection period.

Collection Instructions

  1. Write the following information on the provided labels.

    1. Your date of birth

    2. The date of collection

  2. Attach a label to each sample tube.

  3. Empty your bladder before going to bed at night.

    1. DO NOT collect this urine.

  4. If you wake to urinate during the night (within 6 hours of waking), collect this urine in the provided collection cup.

    1. Place the collection cup in the refrigerator.

  5. Collect your first morning urine in the provided collection cup.

    1. If you collected urine at night, make sure to add the two samples together.

  6. Open the WHITE-top tube.

    1. DO NOT touch or discard any preservative in the tube.

  7. Pipette urine into the WHITE-top tube.

    1. Fill to 1 cm below the top of the tube.

  8. Screw the top on the WHITE-top tube tightly.

  9. Invert the WHITE-top tube several times.

  10. Place the WHITE-top tube in the biohazard bag.

  11. Place the biohazard bag in the refrigerator.

  12. Rinse the collection cup with water and let it air dry.

  13. Discard the pipette and any remaining urine.

  14. Open the Lactulose/Mannitol drink.

  15. Fill the bottle with water up to the fill line.

  16. Close the bottle.

  17. Shake the bottle vigorously.

  18. Drink ALL of the Lactulose/Mannitol drink.

  19. On the test information form, write the time you drank the solution.

  20. Place the provided gel freezer pack in the freezer.

  21. Collect all of your urine for 6 hours after the time you drink the Lactulose/Mannitol drink.

    1. Use the provided collection cup.

    2. Pour the urine from the collection cup into the large orange container.

    3. Place the orange container in the refrigerator.

  22. DO NOT collect any urine after the 6-hour time frame.

  23. Once the collection period is over, cap the orange container securely.

  24. Place the container on a flat surface.

  25. Read the total amount of urine in the container.

  26. Enter this total when you complete the test registration.

  27. Shake the orange container vigorously at least 10 times to mix the urine together.

  28. Open the PURPLE-top tube.

    1. Do NOT touch or discard any preservative in the tube.

  29. Use the second pipette to transfer urine to the PURPLE-top tube.

    1. Fill to 1 cm below the top of the tube.

  30. Screw the top on the PURPLE-top tube tightly.

  31. Invert the PURPLE-top tube several times.

  32. Place the PURPLE-top tube in the biohazard bag.

  33. Place the biohazard bag in the refrigerator.

  34. Discard the pipette, the orange container, and any remaining urine.

  35. Complete the test registration (instructions HERE).

    1. Please ensure that the name on the registration matches the name on your Rupa order EXACTLY. If it does not match, you may need to recollect your samples.

Requisition & Payment

  • Your kit has been prepaid. You DO NOT need to pay anything extra.

  • Instructions on how to complete your test registration can be found HERE.

    • Since you pre-paid for your tests, you do not need to fill in the payment information on this form.

Shipping

  • Ship your samples as soon as possible after collection.

  • Rupa Health recommends shipping Monday - Thursday only to avoid shipment delays.

  • To prepare your samples for shipping,

    • Remove the urine samples from the refrigerator.

    • Place the urine samples into the flexfoil pack.

    • Place the frozen ice pack into the flexfoil pack.

    • Place the flexfoil pack into the cardboard kit box.

    • Place the completed activation card into the cardboard kit box.

    • Place the cardboard kit box into the provided return mailer.

  • Make a note of the tracking number so that you can track your sample back to the lab.

  • Ship your samples via FedEx.

    • You can take your samples to the nearest FedEx location.

    • DO NOT place your samples in a drop box.

    • You can also schedule a FedEx pickup by calling 1-800-463-3339 or visiting their website www.fedex.com.

Results

  • Results should be released to your provider 7-21 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 Genova Diagnostics by calling 800-522-4762 or chatting with support.

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