Your spot urine collection

Avoid these for 48 hours before

These foods and drinks can affect your neurotransmitter result, so leave them out for the two days before you collect.

Also check with your practitioner about whether to pause any prescription medicines or supplements beforehand.

What this test measures

Your key neurotransmitters, from a single urine sample:

Measures: Dopamine · Serotonin · Noradrenaline · Adrenaline · GABA · Glutamate

A few quick checks

• Don't collect while menstruating — it can contaminate the sample. Wait until your period has finished.
• If you have a urinary tract infection, wait until you've finished treatment, then wait a further 5 days.
• If you take hormone medication, note it and its type on your request form (for example, progesterone cream).

Collect your first urine of the morning into the 50 ml container, then transfer it into the two tubes (monovettes).

• Collect your first-morning urine into the 50 ml screw-cap container.

Filling each tube (monovette)

• Gently lift off the yellow stopper and keep it for later. Don't unscrew the yellow nozzle. Attach the yellow aspiration tip.
• Put the aspiration tip into the container and fill the tube to the base line (the thicker green line).
• Hold the tube upright and draw the piston rod downward until it locks into the base (this empties the tip).
• Remove the aspiration tip and replace the yellow stopper. Then snap off the piston rod and discard it.

Label both tubes, using the stickers provided, with:

• Your first and last name
• Your date of birth
• The date of collection
• The urine volume in the tube

Freeze for at least 2 hours

Seal your tubes in the transport bag and freeze them for at least 2 hours before posting. Take them out only when you're ready to pack and send.

Post your sample the same day you take it out of the freezer.

• Place both labelled tubes into the resealable section of the specimen transport bag. Press it closed, squeezing out any air pockets, and seal it.
• Put the sealed bag in the freezer for at least 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, check your request form is completely filled out with your correct details, and complete your Patient Checklist Form.
• After 2 hours, take the bag out of the freezer and place your request form into the non-sealable section of the transport bag.
• Place everything into the reply-paid padded envelope and post it back the same day via your nearest Australia Post outlet or express post box.

Before you post — quick check

• Both tubes filled to the green base line and labelled
• Frozen for at least 2 hours
• Request & Checklist forms complete
• Posting the same day you take it from the freezer