Patient Preparation for the collection of initial samples

• Blood samples should preferably be collected in the morning (07:30 – 09:30 am). The levels of most blood constituents (test results) are not significantly impacted by a normal breakfast intake with the exception of tests tests related to the metabolism like glucose (sugar), triglycerides, cholesterol and lipid profile tests. For these tests, it is therefore, strongly recommended that patients fast for 12-14 hours prior to their blood sample being collected.
  
  
• For routine blood and urine tests (checkup) 12 hours of fasting and 24 hours of abstinence from alcohol are required. Water drinking is allowed. Any medication taken should be reported to the lab.
  
  
• For gynaecological harmones testing, blood can be drawn at any time during the day and no fasting is required. All the tests are evaluated according to the day of the woman’s cycle. For the best evaluation of most tests (Prolactin, FSH, LH, Androgen) it is nevertheless preferable for the blood to be collected between the 2^nd and 5^th day of the cycle. For Estradiol and Progesterone testing blood collection should be done on the 14^th and 21^st day respectively.
  
  
• For the Prolactin test, it is preferable for blood to be drawn at least 2 hours after waking up in the morning. It should noted that stress and medication (antibiotics, anti-stress, antacids, contraceptives etc), may affect and cause variations in test results.
  
  
• For the test of beta-human chorionic, gonadotropin (pregnancy test) the best day for the test if the 2^nd day of the delayed period. Where in Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is involved it is best to test on the 14^th day post embryo transfer.
  
  
• For most effective investigation of the thyroid function, blood can be collected at any time during the day. For patients taking daily thyroid related medication it is advisable that blood is drawn in the morning before any such
  medication is taken.
  
  
• For the cortisol test, it is preferable for blood to be taken the following hours: 8am and 8pm
  
  
• For the test of medicine levels, blood taking is proposed to be done during the morning hours and before taking any medication.
  
  
• For the Tumor Markers test, blood taking can be done any time of the day and fasting is not needed.

• For Iron measurement it is advisable to avoid testing late in the afternoon.
  
  
• For calcium testing, blood taking is bese done without tourniquet.


• For the glucose tolerance test, the patient needs to follow a normal diet for 3days before the test, avoiding alcohol and excessive exercise. Over the course of this period the patient needs to also stop medication including: antihypertensives, steroids, hormones, contraceptives, aspirin, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, psychiatric etc only after medical advice. The test is done in the morning after only 12 hours of fasting.


• For the Food Intolerance and Allergy tests, blood can be drawn at any time of the day and fasting or any other preparation is not required.

• For routine culture and urine test, samples should only be taken following a thorough wash with soap (not antiseptic) and water. Morning midstream urine should be collected, in a special sterile container, which is given by the laboratory or buy from the pharmacy. Samples must be presented to the laboratory as soon as possible and in the interim be kept in a cool place. Patients must inform the laboratory of any medication taken.


• For 24-hour urine tests, we recommend contacting the laboratory in advance for further instructions. The method of collecting urine is as follows: At the beginning of the 24-hour interval (e.g. in the morning 7:00 am) the patient must urinate and empty his bladder. This urine should be discarded. The urine from each subsequent unrination during the next 24 hours, until the end of this period (eg inclusinve of 7am the following day), should be collected in a special container and kept refrigerated.

• To examine vanillylomandelic acid (VMA), the following foods should be avoided for 48 hours before and during sample collection: coffee, tea, bananas, avocados, citrus, cocoa, chocolate, vanilla and nuts . Drugs that should be avoided during the same period can be interrupted only after medical advise.

1. To examine 5-hydroxy-indole-acetic acid (5-HIAA), the following foods should be avoided for 48 hours before and during sample collection: coffee, tea, banana, avocado, tomato, eggplant, pineapple, plum, cocoa, chocolate, vanilla and nuts. Drugs that should be avoided during the same period can be interrupted only after medical advise.
2. To examine catecholamine and metanephrine the following foods should be avoided for 48 hours before and during sample collection: coffee, tea, bananas, avocado, cocoa, chocolate, vanilla, nuts, alcohol and smoking . Drugs that should be avoided for the same period interrupted only after medical advice.

• To examine serotonin following foods should be avoided by for 48 hours before and during sample collection: bananas, avocado, tomato, eggplant, pineapple, plum, kiwi, nuts. Drugs that should be avoided during the same period can be interrupted only after medical advise.

• Collection of stool: The patient should collect the sample directly into a suitable container provided by the laboratory or transfer it there from an alternative clean container used in a preceding collection. It is inappropriate to take the sample directly from the toilet bowl. The stool sample should not be refrigerated and it should be taken to the laboratory within 2 hours of collection.

• Collection of sputum: The patient should collect the sample directly into a suitable container provided by the laboratory without coughing or any aspiration nasopharyngeal secretions. The transfer of the sample to the laboratory must be done within 2 hours without being refrigerated.
  
  
• Collection of Sperm: The patient can collect the sample directly into a suitable container provided by the laboratory after abstaining from 3 to 5 days. The sample can either be collected in the premises of the laboratory or taken there within half an hour of collection avoiding its exposure to extreme temperatures. Prior to collection the patient should urinate and thoroughly cleanse the area with soap and water. The samples must be taken carefully following masturbation to ensure that the entire amount of semen is collected.

• To obtain biological samples such as rectal swab for search enterobius (oxyouris) vermicularis ova, vaginal fluid, cervical swab, urethral swab and other consultation with the laboratory is recommended for further instructions.

For other tests not listed herein do not hesitate to contact us for any information and instructions.