When should I send my sample?
To protect your sample and ensure the fastest possible analysis and results, always follow these guidelines:
Send your sample on Monday or Tuesday only
Do not send samples later in the week or on public holidays
If you send your sample after Tuesday, it risks being delayed at the post office over the weekend. This may cause the sample to age, making it unusable, and can result in delayed results or the need to take and send a new sample.
Special instructions for the melatonin test
Collect your sample on Sunday evening
Send it on Monday morning
This timing is essential to ensure accurate results.
Storing your sample before sending
If you collect your sample the day before sending, store it in the refrigerator overnight (not in the freezer). This applies to urine, stool, and liquid blood samples.
Important: Always send your sample on a Monday or Tuesday – never later in the week or on public holidays.
This ensures your sample reaches the lab before the weekend and stays in good condition.
Sample stability by method
Urine samples
Stable at room temperature for several days. If collected the day before sending, keep refrigerated overnight to ensure sample quality during the 5–7 day shipping window.
Stool samples
Stool samples for gut health or microbiome analysis are stable for several days if stored properly. To maintain quality, keep refrigerated.
Dried blood on DBS card
Highly robust against temperature changes. Many analytes remain stable for multiple weeks at room temperature. Though we recommend storing it in the fridge for even longer viability.
Important: the blood need to be completely dry before placing it in the fridge. If you are unsure when it's dry, let it dry for 4 hours.
Biomarkers 30
This test specifically, uses another type of blood collection method. It only needs to dry for 2 minutes before being placed in the fridge. It can keep stable for several days.
Blood in tube
More sensitive to temperature and handling. Without refrigeration, quality can decline within hours. If same-day shipping is not possible, refrigerate overnight and send the next morning.
Breath samples (SIBO, lactose, fructose tests)
Collected in vacuum-sealed tubes designed for stability. Research shows breath samples remain accurate for up to 14 days, even across a wide temperature range.
Hair samples
Extremely stable and unaffected by shipping conditions or transit time.
Summary of sample stability
Sample type | Stability during transit | Recommendation if not sent same day |
Urine | Stable several days | Store in fridge |
Stool | Stable several days | Store in fridge |
Dried blood (DBS) | Stable multiple weeks | Store in fridge |
Blood in tube | Stable several days | Store in fridge |
Breath samples | Stable up to 14 days | No refrigeration needed |
Hair | Extremely stable | No refrigeration needed |
Sample Collection Materials
All of our collection tubes and devices are supplied directly by the laboratory and made from specialized medical-grade materials. These are the same materials the lab uses in their own processes, designed to ensure accuracy and stability.
Vacuum-sealed tubes (for breath and blood) prevent contamination and keep the sample secure.
Urine and stool containers are made to preserve the sample during transit without additives.
DBS cards use certified filter paper that allows blood to dry quickly while maintaining stability.
This means every component in your test kit comes directly from the lab itself — not generic or low-quality alternatives.