What time of the month should I collect my sample?

Men can collect at any time of the month.

Women who:

Do not have menstrual cycles can collect any day. This would include women with hysterectomy, amenorrhea (abnormal absence of menses in women of reproductive age), and/or uterine/endometrial ablation (destruction of the uterine lining).

Have 'normal' menstrual cycles should collect day 19, 20 or 21 (counting the 1st day of bleeding as day 1)

Have irregular, unpredictable menstrual cycles can collect any day they are not bleeding.

Have some kind of cycle regularity but not at the typical lengths should follow these guidelines for collection: Long cycles – test at day 19-21 or from day 19 to 5 days prior to when the period is expected. For example, if the cycle is 35 days, collection can be done anytime between day 19 to day 30. Short cycles – collection should be done a couple of days prior to when bleeding starts. For example, someone with 14-day cycles should collect on day 12.

Are there specific herbal supplements/vitamins that can affect hormone levels?

While vitamins may improve your symptoms, they do not generally change lab results. However, please list all hormones, supplements and vitamins that you are taking on your requisition form.

The following products are available over-the-counter and may affect lab results (this is not an exhaustive list): progesterone, pregnenolone, DHEA, 7-Keto-DHEA (see special notice), hydrocortisone (cortisol). Continue to use topical hormones daily as prescribed, but avoid applying them to the face and neck areas for 3 days prior to testing. Rub in topical hormones without using fingers (e.g. wrist to wrist) for at least 2 days prior to collection. Skip use of anti-aging creams that may contain hormone traces.

NOTE: 7-Keto-DHEA is a variant form of DHEA and can create false elevations of DHEA and testosterone test results. Please discontinue use of sublingual 7-Keto-DHEAS for 3 days prior to testing. If using pill form, follow the oral collection instructions.