Menopause Support

Testing Instructions

Blood Testing Instructions

Preparing for your test

• You are required to fast for 10-12 hours before your blood draw. A non-fasting blood draw may affect results.
• Medication has the potential to affect results. Please check with your practitioner before your blood draw about the potential effects your medication may have.
• Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps to locate your vein to collect the blood.
• Keeping warm improves circulation and will, therefore, help your collector to locate your vein more easily.

Testing process

1. Download and print your blood collection form if it was emailed to you OR take it out of your testing kit.
2. Review your details to make sure they are correct. Please change on the form if incorrect.
3. Take it to your nearest collection centre.
4. They will collect your blood sample and send it back to our lab.
5. We will contact you when we have your results (3-14 days depending on the test).

Saliva Testing Instructions

Preparing for your sample collection

• Avoid all food and drink (except water) 30 minutes before collecting the sample
• Do not brush your teeth or apply make-up/lipstick before your saliva collection.
• If you are taking a melatonin troche, you must stop for three days before the collection. You do not need to stop if you are taking melatonin capsules/tablets.
• Please do not perform collection during menstruation

Completing your collection

NOTE for menstruating clients: Please aim to collect your sample on day 21 of your menstrual cycle (count from
the very first day of your bleed). If your cycle is absent or irregular, please collect at random and make a
note for your practitioner to interpret results correctly.

Collection needs to take place between the following times:

• 8am – 10am (blue sticker)
• 2:30pm-4:30pm (yellow sticker)
• 10pm-midnight (red sticker)

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before handling the saliva specimen tubes as creams or other substances may contaminate the saliva.
2. Rinse your mouth out with water.
3. Fill the specimen tube with saliva from the front of your mouth. Please fill it below the lid. IMPORTANT: Do not express mucus or sputum into the saliva
   tube as this cannot be used for testing.
4. Replace the cap evenly and securely and wipe off any saliva from the outside of the tube.
5. Write your name, date of birth, and time of the collection on the label of each specimen tube.
6. Place the three saliva specimen tubes in the clear plastic bag provided and refrigerate until ready to post.
7. Please, collect the last sample (10 pm-Midnight – Red Sticker vial) in dim lighting to avoid interaction with artificial light (phones and TV) 30 minutes before and during the collection. Melatonin levels are being measured and is active at night
8. This is the end of the collection; Please place your samples (blue vial, yellow vial, red vial) and completed requisition form into the silver postage bag with return label attached. Keep in the fridge until ready to post. ONLY POST SAMPLES ON A MONDAY, TUESDAY or WEDNESDAY to avoid delays.