Test Details
Lab Company: ZRT Laboratory
Sample Type: Urine
Collection Location: At Home
This profile measures a variety of neurotransmitters to assess neurochemical imbalances.
Key Details
All add-ons, except for Saliva Hormones, will be analyzed from the same urine samples.
You must avoid certain foods for 24 hours prior to and on the day of collection.
Do not collect while menstruating.
If you have the Toxic & Essential Elements or the Hormones add-ons, there are additional preparation instructions for your test. See below for more details.
Preparation & Timing
Avoid the following foods for 24 hours prior to and on the day of collection.
Bananas
Pineapples
Nuts
Nut butter
Alcohol
Nicotine
Protein powder
Protein shakes
Do not collect while menstruating.
Do not eat, drink anything but water, take vitamins or supplements, or take medications until after the second urine collection.
Do not drink more than 8 oz water in the hour prior to each urine collection.
If you have the Toxic & Essential Elements, Urine Hormone, or Saliva Hormone add-ons, see below for further preparation instructions.
No add-ons? Skip to the collection instructions.
Toxic & Essential Elements Add-On
Continue taking any daily iodine or selenium supplements (such as Iodoral and multi-vitamins) as normal.
Avoid the following foods for 24 hours prior to and on the day of collection:
Urine Hormones Add-On
If you are a menstruating woman, you must collect on a specific day of your cycle.
If you use topical or oral hormones,
Apply any night dosage at least 12 hours prior to your first morning collection.
Do not use your bare hands for topical hormone application for at least 2 days prior to collection.
Change sheets, pillowcases, and hand towels the night before collection.
Avoid touching surfaces that may be contaminated with traces of hormones.
If you use hormone patches, pellets, or injectables,
Test halfway between doses (ex: 3 days after a once-a-week dose).
Avoid using vaginal hormones and 7-Keto DHEA for 3 days prior to sample collection.
Talk to your healthcare provider about timing if you are taking steroids.
Saliva Hormones Add-On
You do not need to collect your saliva samples on the same day as your urine samples.
If you are a menstruating woman, you must collect on a specific day of your cycle.
Regular cycle: Collect on Day 19, 20, or 21 of your cycle (Day 1 is the first day of your period).
Irregular cycle: Collect 5 days before your period starts.
Unpredictable: Collect any day when not bleeding.
If you use topical or oral hormones,
Apply any night dosage at least 12 hours prior to your first morning collection.
Do not use your bare hands for topical hormone application for at least 2 days prior to collection.
Avoid using hormones on the face, lips, and neck.
Change sheets, pillowcases, and hand towels the night before collection.
Avoid touching surfaces that may be contaminated with traces of hormones.
If you use hormone patches, pellets, or injectables,
Test halfway between doses (ex: 3 days after a once-a-week dose).
Avoid using 7-Keto DHEA and anti-aging/anti-wrinkle creams for 3 days prior to sample collection.
Talk to your healthcare provider about timing if you are taking steroids, troches, or sublingual hormones.
See the Saliva Hormones Collection Instructions sheet for more information on preparing for and collecting this test.
Collection Instructions
A few notes:
Drink no more than 8 oz of water in the hour before each collection.
If you miss a collection, you can collect it at the designated time the next day.
See the Saliva Hormones Collection Instructions sheet for information on collecting the saliva hormones add-on.
You will collect FOUR urine samples throughout the day.
Collection 1: Immediately upon waking
Collection 2: 2 hours after waking
Collection 3: Before dinner
Collection 4: Before bed
For each collection, write your name and the date and time of collection on a collection card.
Make sure to save the pink bag containing the cards.
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.
Once the card is completely dry, refold it.
Place the collection card into the pink bag with the absorbent pouch.
Seal the pink bag.
Repeat steps 3-12 for each of the four collections.
Collection 1: Immediately upon waking
Collection 2: 2 hours after waking
Collection 3: Before dinner
Collection 4: Before bed
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 your samples as soon as possible.
To prepare your samples for shipping,
Place the COMPLETELY DRY, folded collection cards into the pink bag and seal.
Place the pink bag into the test kit box.
Place the completed test requisition form into the test kit box.
Ensure the test kit box is securely shut.
Place the test kit box into the provided mailer.
Attach the provided prepaid label or postage.
Make a note of the tracking number so you can track the sample 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 866-600-1636 or emailing customer support at [email protected].