Neurotransmitter Collection Instructions

To download the most current collection instructions as a PDF, click on the corresponding link below.

Neurotransmitter Instructions

NeuroHormone Instructions

Or, see each section below for specific questions. Call your provider with any other questions pertaining to collection or shipping.

• For 48 hours before and during the collection avoid eating avocados, eggplant, tomatoes, bananas, melons, pineapple, grapefruit, plums, nuts, nut butters, wine, cheese, and chocolate.
• For 24 hours before and during the collection, avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco. It is preferable to be off medications, including those that regulate allergy, mood, sleep, pain, and inflammation. NEVER discontinue prescription medications without first consulting your physician.
• Do not take any supplements on the day of testing until after sample collection.
• The night before collection, don’t eat anything after you’ve eaten your dinner. Collect your urine sample before you eat again in the morning.
• Menstruating women should not collect urine sample during their period.
• Freeze the samples along with cold pack for at least 4-6 hours. If you cannot ship it on the same day, such as on a weekend or holiday, your samples must be kept in a freezer until you can ship it on the next business day.

• Urine sample is a morning collection.
• Collect either the first or second void of the day.
• A midstream collection is preferable.

• Collect a midstream specimen of urine in the collection cup.
• Use the pipette to transfer urine from the collection cup to the sample tube. Fill the tube to the "10 ml" mark, almost full. A small cotton ball is located in the sample tube to preserve the specimen. DO NOT remove this preservative. Leave the preservative in the sample tube*
• Close tube tightly to ensure a good seal. Gently rock the tube back and forth for 3 to 4 seconds to mix urine with the preservative.
• Write your name, time and date on the sample label.
• Peel the back of the sample label and stick it on the sample tube.
• Follow "SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS" to ship your sample to the Lab.
• Please note: It is mandatory to freeze the ice pack and urine tube for 4-6 hours prior to shipping back to the lab.

*Caution: The cotton ball preservative in the sample tube contains a preservative which can irritate eyes and skin. Do not urinate directly into the tube. If the cotton ball falls out of the tube, do not touch it with bare skin. The cotton ball may dissolve in the preservative so it is not always visible, however the preservative is present inside the tube.

• Only one morning urine collection is needed.
• Collect either the first or second void of the day.
• A midstream collection is preferable.

Make sure ALL information is entered onto test requisition form, patient survey, and specimen bag, and all required patient signatures are completed (missing information may cause a delay in testing and/or interpretation).

• Required information on requisition form, including signature.
• Patient name, address, date of birth, sex, time of sample collection, (menstrual history -women only, if using a NeuroHormone kit).
• Test requested is checked by healthcare practitioner.
• Patient signature
• Patient height and weight.
• Symptom questionnaire (patient survey)
• Medications or amino acid therapy, (including date and time of last dosage).
• Make sure tubes is tightly closed and put into zip-top bag.
• Make sure completed test requisition form is in box with specimens.
• Make sure you have frozen the sample immediately after collection
• All samples and cold pack must be frozen for a minimum of 4-6 hours before shipping. If you complete the collection at night, freeze overnight and mail as soon as possible.
• Check whether the box has prepaid FedEx, UPS or US Mail postage.