Test Details
Lab Company: ZRT
Sample Type: Blood Spot, Urine
Collection Location: At Home
ZRT's Comprehensive Thyroid Profiles provide a broad assessment of sex, adrenal, and thyroid hormone levels.
Key Details
You can collect your samples any day of the month.
Do not collect your urine samples while menstruating.
You must avoid certain foods for 24 hours prior to and on the day of collection.
If you are using hormones, collect according to the schedule below.
If you are taking steroids, talk to your healthcare provider about appropriate timing.
Ship your samples as soon as possible.
Preparation & Timing
You can collect your samples any day of the month.
Do not collect your urine samples while menstruating.
Avoid the following foods for 24 hours prior to and on the day of urine collection.
Seafood
Seaweed/kelp
Dairy products
Brazil nuts
Any food high in iodine
Any food high in selenium
Any iodine or selenium supplement (such as Iodoral or multi-vitamins) taken periodically
If you take daily iodine or selenium supplements (Iodoral, multi-vitamins, etc.), continue taking them as normal.
If you use topical, oral, troche, or sublingual hormones,
Apply/take any night topical/oral dosage at least 12 hours prior to your morning collection.
Take any night troche/sublingual dosage 6-10 hours prior to your morning collection.
Avoid applying hormones with your bare hands for at least 2 days prior to collection.
Avoid using hormones on your face, lips, and neck.
Change your sheets, pillowcases, and hand towels the night before collection.
Avoid touching any surfaces which may be contaminated with hormones prior to collection.
If you use hormone patches, vaginal rings, pellets, or injectables,
Test halfway between doses.
Example: 3 days after a once-a-week patch
If you are taking steroids (glucocorticoids, prednisone, etc.), talk to your healthcare provider about appropriate timing.
Avoid 7-Keto DHEA for 3 days prior to collection.
For at least 2 hours prior to each saliva collection, do not
Eat
Drink anything but water
Brush your teeth
Collection Instructions
Collection Schedule
COLLECTION 1 - URINE: Immediately upon waking.
COLLECTION 2 - BLOOD SPOT: Within 1 hour of waking.
COLLECTION 3 - URINE: Before bed.
Urine Collection
You will collect two urine samples. See schedule above.
For each collection, write your name and the date and time of collection on a collection card.
Open the cover on the collection card by folding it back, away from the filter paper.
Do NOT touch the filter paper.
Collect your urine in a clean cup.
Dip the filter paper in the urine up to the top black dash line.
Make sure the paper is fully saturated.
*NOTE* You can also saturate the filter paper by urinating directly onto it.
Hang or tape the collection card in a secure place to dry.
Do NOT let anything touch the filter paper.
Let the card dry for at least 6 hours.
Repeat steps 2-8 for the second collection.
Collection 2 will be done before bed.
Once the cards are completely dry, refold them.
Place the cards into the baggie.
Seal the baggie.
Place the baggie and the completed test requisition form back into the test kit box.
Blood Spot Collection
Collect your blood sample within 1 hour of waking.
Wash your hands with soap and water.
Use a clean towel to dry your hands.
Write your name, the date of collection, and the time of collection on the card.
Open the cover of the collection card.
Fold it back and away from the filter paper.
Do NOT touch the filter paper.
Tape the card to a flat surface below waist level.
Swing your arms and rub your hands together to get your blood flowing.
Open the alcohol prep pad and sterile gauze.
Select the finger you will use.
The middle or ring finger on your non-dominant hand is recommended.
Wipe your finger with the alcohol prep pad.
Let your finger air dry for 15-30 seconds.
Twist the cap off the lancet.
Press the small white section against the side of your chosen finger until you hear a click.
Wipe away the first drop of blood with the gauze.
Position your finger above a circle on the collection card.
Gently massage your finger to form a large, hanging blood drop.
Touch the blood drop to the center of the circle.
Do NOT touch the card with your finger.
Fill all circles on the card.
Place only one drop per circle.
Apply the bandage to your finger.
Leave the blood spot card open to air dry for at least 4 hours.
Keep the card in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight.
When the sample is dry, close the flap.
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 samples as soon as possible after collection.
To prepare your sample for shipping,
Place the COMPLETELY DRY blood spot card into the test kit box.
Place the bag containing the urine cards into the test kit box.
Place the completed test requisition form into the test kit box.
Ensure the test kit box is securely closed.
Place the test kit box into the provided return mailer.
Affix the provided label to the mailer.
Make a note of your tracking number so that you can track your samples back to the lab.
Results
Results should be released to your provider 3-5 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 ZRT by calling 503-466-2445.