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Instructions:
Following collection,
saliva should be either frozen or shipped to us within 1 day of collection.
For all hormones except melatonin, saliva is
collected generally in the early morning (between 6 – 8
AM) before brushing/flossing your teeth, eating,
drinking or applying makeup. For multiple sample collections, refrain from
brushing or flossing your teeth or eating within one hour of saliva
collection.
Rinse your
mouth at least twice with cool water. Then chew the sugarless gum provided
for 1-2 minutes, swallowing saliva as usual. You may continue to chew the
gum during saliva collection but please do not spit it into the collection
tube. If, for some reason, you are not able to chew the gum, saliva
collection is still possible but may take longer.
Begin the
collection. Remove the cap of the saliva collection tube and spit directly
into the tube. Avoid touching the mouth of the tube with your hands.
Important: Hormones left on hands from creams can potentially
contaminate the saliva during collection. Therefore, if using a cream, wash
your hands thoroughly with soap and water before beginning.
Fill the tube at least 3/4 full and cap, making sure the cap is on evenly
and securely. It may take you a few minutes to generate sufficient saliva.
Neatly
print your name, date and time of collection on the peel off label(s) and
affix to the saliva tube(s).
Completely
fill out the requisition form either given to you by your healthcare
provider or enclosed with your collection kit. Multiple saliva collections
require just one requisition form. It is especially important to include the
time and date of saliva collection and to list any hormonal products you are
using. List each product separately and include preparation name, amount
taken and time of ingestion or application.
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