Patient Guidelines

Fasting for 8 hours is preferred (6 – 10 hours is acceptable).

Two hours from the start of the meal, taking your medication if any (finish eating within 10 minutes).

Fasting for 12 – 14 hours.

Fasting for 6 – 8 hours is preferred.

A morning sample is preferred. If the result is negative, a blood pregnancy test is recommended.

• A mid-stream sample is preferred (discard the first portion of urine); make sure the sample is not contaminated by washing with an antiseptic first.
• Stop taking any antibiotics for at least three days.

Collect urine in a clean container until the same hour on the following day.

The first morning sputum sample, before breakfast, in a sterile container.

Abstain for 3 to 5 days. The sample is collected in a sterile container provided by the lab and may be brought from home within 30 minutes at most.

• Abstain for 2 – 3 days and avoid urinating for two hours before the test.
• Do not take any antibiotics for at least three days.

• Abstain for two days and avoid douching before the sample.
• Do not take any antibiotics for at least three days.

• Bring the sample in a sterile container within two hours.
• Do not take any antibiotics for at least three days.

Avoid all types of meat before the test, and do not take certain medications such as aspirin, vitamins, cortisone or iron.

Bring the sample in a clean container under the patient's responsibility (make sure nothing has been added that could spoil the test).

No endoscopy or catheterisation for 10 days before the test. Free PSA is only performed together with Total PSA.

• The test must not be done directly after a blood transfusion.
• It can only be done 3 to 4 weeks after the last haemolytic crisis.

Stop antacid medications and any antibiotics for 3 – 5 days.

Performed on a morning, mid-stream urine sample without any physical exertion.

Avoid tea, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, liquorice and soda for 48 hours, then collect 24-hour urine in a special acidified bottle provided by the lab.

Abstain for 3 days before the test; after intercourse lie on your back for two hours with the hips raised on a pillow, and avoid internal vaginal douching before and after.