Test Details
Lab Company: US BioTek
Sample Type: Blood Spot
Collection Location: At Home
These instructions are for all of US BioTek's blood spot tests, including food antibody assessments, inhalant antibody assessments, and the Candida Antibody & Antigens Panel.
Key Details
🍽️ No special diet is required.
🩸 DO NOT take this test if you are taking a blood thinner or if you have a blood clotting disorder.
💊 Consult your healthcare provider if you are taking immunosuppressive drugs or immune-modulating drugs.
💨 Samples should be air-dried only.
🚚 Ship your sample via USPS as soon as possible after collection.
Preparation & Timing
No special diet is required.
Maintain your usual dietary habits.
Eat a variety of foods (when possible) for a few weeks before the sample collection.
DO NOT take this test if you:
Are taking blood-thinning medications
Have a blood-clotting disorder
Consult your healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medications. They may affect test results.
immunosuppressive drugs, such as:
Oral corticosteroids
Intranasal corticosteroids
Topical cortisone suspensions
Topical cortisone creams
Immune-modulating drugs
Hydrate for a few hours before sample collection.
Keep the biohazard bag closed until the sample card is ready to be shipped.
Open the bag to place the card inside and then immediately close and seal it.
Collection Instructions
Write the following information on the blood spot collection card.
Patient's name
Patient's date of birth
Date of collection
Tear open the alcohol swab, gauze, and bandage packages. Leave the items inside.
Unfold the collection card to expose the blood collection card. DO NOT touch the collection circles.
Tip: You can stabilize the card by taping the outer cover of the card to the edge of a tabletop.
Wash your hands under warm water for 30-60 seconds.
Try one of the following activities to increase circulation.
Rubbing your hands together
Swinging your arms around several times
Shaking your arms
Doing a few jumping jacks
Clean the tip of the middle or ring finger on your non-dominant hand with the provided alcohol pad.
Twist off the small cap to break the seal of the lancet.
DO NOT touch the tip of the lancet.
Place the tip of the lancet against the side of your fingertip.
Press down firmly until you hear a click.
Gently stroke the pricked finger from the base of the finger to just above the puncture site to allow a large drop of blood to form.
AVOID strong repetitive pressure on the pricked finger. This may cause contamination of the sample
Wipe away the first drop of blood with the gauze.
Hold the finger downward to allow the blood to drop onto the collection card circles.
DO NOT touch the card with your finger.
DO NOT rub or smear the sample.
Make sure the blood saturates through to the back of the card.
Repeat step 12 until you have filled in the required number of circles (this number can be found on the test requisition form).
Filling more than the required number of spots is recommended (if possible) to ensure enough blood is present.
If you have more than one test or a test measuring many analytes, you may need to fill spots on two cards. Consult your requisition form to determine if this applies to you.
Once the collection is completed, apply the bandage to the puncture site.
Complete the test requisition form.
Please ensure that the information on the blood spot card(s) matches the information on your requisition form EXACTLY. If it does not match, you may need to recollect your sample.
Air-dry the sample for at least 3 hours.
The card can be propped up or left taped to the table.
Blood should NOT be in contact with the cover.
Keep the card away from moisture and sunlight.
Once the card is dried, tuck the cover into the flap as indicated on the card.
Insert the blood spot collection card into the biohazard bag and seal tightly.
Requisition & Payment
Your kit has been prepaid. You DO NOT need to pay anything extra.
You must complete your requisition form and send it back with your samples.
Since you pre-paid for your tests, you do not need to fill in the payment information on this form.
Shipping
Ship your sample via USPS as soon as possible after collection.
To prepare your sample for shipping,
Tuck the card cover into the flap once the collection circles are dry.
Place the blood spot collection card into the biohazard bag.
Seal the biohazard bag tightly.
Place the biohazard bag into the provided return envelope.
Place the completed test requisition form into the provided return envelope.
Make a note of the tracking number on the return mailer so that you can track your samples back to the lab.
Drop the envelope off at a US Post Office or give it to your mail carrier.
Results
Results should be released to your provider 5-10 business days after samples are received at the lab. Rupa Health cannot guarantee processing time.
More Resources
Questions?
Reach out to Rupa Health via the chat in your patient portal.