Blood samples are recommended to be collected between the hours of 7:30am – 9:30 am. The levels of most blood components are not significantly altered after a regular breakfast. The main exception to this is metabolism-related tests such as glucose (sugar), triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood lipids in general. Thus, it is always better to collect such tests after overnight fasting (12-14 hours).
For general blood and urine tests: (Check-Up), 12-hour fasting and 24-hour alcohol withdrawal are required. Water is allowed. Please report to the laboratory if you are on any medication.
For gynaecological hormone control: blood samples are to be collected at any time of the day and fasting is not required. All examinations are always evaluated according to the day of the woman’s menstrual cycle. A preferred time interval for better evaluation of most tests (Prolactin, FSH, LH, Androgen) is between the 2nd and the 5th day of the menstrual cycle. Oestradiol on the 14th and Progesterone on the 21st.
For prolactin testing: it is preferable for blood samples are to be collected at least 2 hours away from sleep and to avoid stress. Various drugs (antibiotics, anxiolytics, antacids, contraceptives, etc.) may affect the test results.
For examination of β-chorionic gonadotropin (pregnancy test): the most appropriate exam day is after the second day of delay of the ovulation process. In IVF, the 14th day of embryo transfer is the most appropriate day of screening.
For simple investigation of thyroid function: blood samples are to be collected at any time of the day. For individuals receiving daily medication to treat various thyroid conditions, blood sample are recommended to be taken in the morning and before taking the medicine.
For cortisol testing: blood samples are recommended to be collected at 8AM or 8PM.
To examine drug levels: blood samples are recommended to be collected in the morning and before taking any medicines.
For the examination of the Cancer Markers: blood samples are to be collected at any time of the day and no fasting is required.
Measure iron: blood samples are recommended to be collected late in the afternoon.
For calcium testing: blood sampling should be done without straining.
For the glucose tolerance test or glucose curve: the patient for 3 days prior to the test has to follow a normal diet avoiding alcohol and intense physical exercise and at the same time to stop drugs like antihypertensives, steroids, hormones, contraceptives, aspirin, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, psychiatric, etc. after the advice of a medical examiner. The blood samples are to be collected in the morning after 12 hours of fasting.
For urine examination and urine cultivation: the samples should be placed in a special sterile container after thorough sterilization with a non-antiseptic soap and water. The container can be obtained from the lab or pharmacies. To be presented as soon as possible to the laboratory or kept in a cool place until you are able to present it to the lab. If you take any medication, please report it to the laboratory.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS TO PATIENTS
For 24-hour urine tests, it is advisable to consult the laboratory for detailed instructions. The way of collecting the urine is as follows: Patient at the start of the 24-hour period (e.g. at 7:00 am) should urinate to empty the bladder. This urine is discarded. Then collect all the urine of each time you urinate during the following 24 hours and the urine at the end of the 24-hour period at 7:00 am. the other day. All urine should be collected in a special container (with or without preservative) and stored in the refrigerator during collection. The container can be obtained from the laboratory by the patient.
- a. For examining vanillylmandelic acid (VMA): the following foods should be avoided by the subject for 48 hours before and during sample collection: coffee, tea, bananas, avocados, citrus, cocoa, chocolate, vanilla and nuts. Medicines that should be avoided for the same period of time should be discontinued only after medical advice.
- For the test 5-hydroxyindole-acetic acid (5-HIAA): the following foods should be avoided by the subject for 48 hours before and during sample collection: coffee, tea, bananas, avocado, tomato, eggplant, pineapple, plum, cocoa, chocolate, vanilla and nuts. Medicines that should be avoided for the same period of time should be discontinued only after medical advice.
- For examining catecholamines and meta-phenols: the following foods should be avoided by the subject for 48 hours before and during sample collection: coffee, tea, bananas, avocado, cocoa, chocolate, vanilla, nuts, spirits and smoking. Medicines that should be avoided for the same period of time should be discontinued only after medical advice.
- For the serotonin tests: the following foods should be avoided by the subject for 48 hours before and during sample collection: bananas, avocado, tomato, eggplant, pineapple, plum, kiwi, nuts. Medicines that should be avoided for the same period of time should be discontinued only after medical advice.
- Stool collection: The patient should collect the sample directly in the appropriate container given by the laboratory or to be transferred to it from a clean container where the collection was preceded. A sample taken from the toilet bowl is unfit. The sample should be transferred to the laboratory within 2 hours without being refrigerated.
- Collecting sputum: The patient should collect the sample directly into the appropriate container given by the laboratory by coughing and without ingesting nasopharyngeal exudates. The sample should be transferred to the laboratory within 2 hours without being refrigerated.
- Consultation with the laboratory for further instructions is recommended for taking biological samples such as rectal swabs for oocyte, vaginal fluid, cervical smear, urethral swab, etc.