Frequently Asked Questions
Ordering & Costs of Tests
Can I have a test kit sent to me directly?
Yes. Practitioners can have test kits sent to their clinic or to their patient directly. Alternatively, patients can order the kit themselves, however they are unable to apply for a medicare rebate on self-requested tests. To order a test now contact our Customer Service team toll free at +1 877 983 7863. Individuals outside the USA should contact their local Age Diagnostic Laboratories (ADL) agency.
How much do the ADL tests cost?
The costs of the tests vary, with prices ranging from $20-$1125. Please call our Customer Service team for individual test prices at +1 877 983 7863. Individuals outside the USA should contact their local ADL agency.
Is there a cost having test kits shipped to me?
Generally all test kits to patients are shipped free of charge.
I want to get a test but my doctor is not interested or does not know about the ADL diagnostic tests or integrative medicine. What are my options?
As a patient you have various options.
- Firstly, you can ask your doctor whether they would be open to ordering an ADL test for you. They can also ring our Customer Service team and request an ADL test manual, which provides information on all of the tests available. In addition, an interpretive guide is provided for practitioners.
- Secondly, you also have the option of ordering the diagnostic tests directly for yourself. Note that most tests require a practitioner to interpret the test results and suggest effective therapies.
- Alternatively, you can search for a practitioner that is already familiar with integrative medicine and the ADL diagnostic tests. Contact our Customer Service team for doctors registered as integrative practitioners and who use ADL test services.
Results and Technical Support
Do you have staff to answer any clinical interpretation queries I may have?
Yes. Our Clinical Support staff can assist with most queries you or your patient may have. However, patients should contact their referring practitioner with queries as ADL is medico-legally unable to answer results interpretation queries directly with the patient. General queries relating to test instructions and procedures can be answered by Integrative Medicine Customer Service. We can be contacted toll-free at +1 877 983 7863 or contacted on info@adltests.com.
How long does it take to receive test results?
Result turnaround times vary depending on the test performed and its complexity. Any times quoted are from the time ADL receive the sample. Please ensure that patients collect and send the specimens well before their next appointment with your clinic. Most results are posted to the referring practitioner unless a patient has self-requested a test; then results will be forwarded to the patient.
As a practitioner, how can I receive the test results?
Practitioners can have results electronically downloaded to software such as Medical Director as soon as results are finalized or they are posted out the next day. If you do not have access to Medical Director or similar software, you may request to have finalized results faxed to you. Call our Customer Service team at +1 877 983 7863 to organise computer downloads of results.
Sample Preparation & Transportation
General Guidelines
How do I do the tests?
Collection instructions and all items needed to perform the test are included in the test kit you will receive. Your practitioner should inform you if there are any special recommendations for the test's specimen collection. Please also check the contents of the test kit once received and call ADL Customer Services at +1 877 983 7863 if you believe items are missing.
What if I don't understand the specimen collection instructions?
Ensuring that you understand the specimen collection instructions is important for producing a good sample for analysis. We suggest that you read the specimen collection instructions from start to finish before the day that you would like to collect your sample. If there is something within the instructions that you still do not understand please feel free to call the ADL Customer Services team for clarification.
Will my sample be stable when traveling to the testing laboratory via the Post or Courier? Is it perishable?
The majority of samples are stable enough to travel to ADL via the Post or standard courier. In many circumstances preservatives are added to the specimen and ensure that the sample reaches to the laboratory in ample time for analysis. In all circumstances, clear instructions are given to ensure maximum specimen stability.
One of the containers within my test kit had liquid or powder in them. While I was checking the contents of the test kit and ensuring I understood the specimen collection, I accidently spilt its content. What should I do?
Contact the ADL Customer Services Team for a replacement collection tube.
Urinary Tests
I am supposed to collect a urine sample first thing in the morning (a first morning void), however I often go to the bathroom during the night. What should I do?
The ideal situation is not to go to the toilet during the night. However if you cannot go through the night without emptying your bladder, collect all the urine produced during the night as well as the entire first morning void of urine into a clean container. Mix the two urine samples and collect a 10 ml portion in the monovette provided.
What am I supposed to do with the green monovette that is in the test kit?
The monovette container is used to hold and transport urine samples safely. It contains a preservative (a white powder) which helps keep the urine sample stable. The monovette is used like a syringe to suck up a 10 ml quantity of urine. To do this follow Figure 1 on the specimen collection instructions: 1) remove the stopper and keep for later use; attach the aspiration tip (yellow), 2) insert the aspiration tip into the 120ml container and fill the urine monovette up to the base line by pulling the piston 3) Empty the aspiration tip of urine, by holding the urine monovette in a vertical position, withdrawing the piston rod in a downward direction until it locks into position 4) Remove the aspiration tip, break off the piston rod and discard both. Finally replace the screw cap stopper on the monovette. Feel free to contact the ADL Customer Services Team if you require further help with the monovette.
Salivary Tests
What time of the day should I collect my saliva sample?
The time of the day and quantity of saliva samples you collect is dependent on which test you are performing. For the Adrenocortex Stress Profile and Cortisol Profile collect a single saliva specimen at 6-8 am, 12 noon, 4 pm and 8 pm. For the Female & Male Hormone Profiles collect a single saliva specimen between 6-8am. For the Sleep Profile collect a single saliva specimen between 12 midnight and 2 am. For the Single Salivary Hormone tests collect a single saliva specimen at each of the time points indicated by your healthcare practitioner and always write the time and date the specimen was collected on the tube's label.
How much saliva do I need to collect?
Completely fill the collection tube (5mL) with liquid saliva; make sure the saliva is not foamy. Tap the tube with your fingernail or on a hard surface to reduce bubbles. Please note an insufficient specimen may mean some tests can't be performed, and will require a recollection.
What should I do if I am having trouble collecting enough saliva?
Producing enough saliva for testing can take some time; do not be surprised if it takes you 20 minutes to collect a sufficient quantity. If you have problems with saliva production however we suggest that you have a large drink of water five minutes prior to collecting your sample. Ensuring you are adequately hydrated will assist saliva production. Sugarless gum can also be used to assist saliva production, however, only use this option if absolutely necessary and please don't insert the gum in with the saliva in the specimen tube.
I have just read the specimen collection instructions for the saliva test that I was suppose to do today. It says that I should not eat or brush my teeth before collecting the sample, however I have already done this today. Should I still collect my sample?
It is best to reschedule your specimen collection for another day. Brushing your teeth my produce very small injuries to your gums, blood can then get into the saliva sample and affect the results. Eating will affect the adrenocortex stress profile and the cortisol profile tests the most. If you are performing a hormonal test which needs to be collected on a specific day of the month, contact our technical staff for clarification.
I forgot to rinse my mouth out with water before collecting the saliva sample. What should I do?
If you have difficulty producing saliva or your sample must be collected on this day particular day of the month send us the sample you have already produced. However, it would be ideal if you collected another saliva sample into a new tube (after you have rinsed your mouth). Alternatively you could wash the used tube with hot water (no soap) and collect another sample into it once it has dried.
Special Diets, Medications & Testing
I have just read the specimen collection instructions for the test that I was suppose to do today. It says that I should be fasting, however I have already had some juice and coffee this morning. Should I still collect my sample?
It is best to reschedule your specimen collection until another day. If you are performing a hormonal test which needs to be collected on a specific day of the month, contact our technical staff for clarification.
I have just read the specimen collection instructions for the test that I was suppose to do today. It says that I should keep off certain foods, however I have made a mistake and eaten one of the foods on the list. Should I still collect my sample?
Unfortunately the test results are only as accurate as the specimen you have provided. Therefore if you have not followed all of the collection instructions adequately it will affect the results. We suggest that you re-read the specimen collection instructions, ensure that you follow its recommendations and collect your sample on another day. If you require another set of collection tubes please contact the ADL Customer Services Team.
I take vitamin supplements and prescription medications. Do I need to stop them prior to collecting my sample?
The ADL specimen collection instructions found in the test kits provide a basic guide to which supplements or medications may need to be discontinued for each test. However, your doctor should advise you on your individual case. Never discontinue any medications without the guidance of your health practitioner.
Hormone Testing & Bioidentical Hormone Supplementation
What specimen should I use for hormone testing? Saliva, blood or urine?
There are advantages and disadvantages for all the different types of hormone tests. There is no right or wrong choice. Serum hormone testing is the standard way to measure hormones. The disadvantage however of testing this specimen type is that it measures total hormone levels. In contrast, urinary and salivary tests measure unbound hormones. Most hormones are bound to binding proteins in the body which control the hormone's activity. Unbound hormones represent the active working hormones in the body, whilst bound hormones cannot interact with receptors and are therefore 'inactive'. Therefore urinary and salivary hormone levels probably correlate better with clinical status. Another advantage of urinary and salivary testing over blood tests, is that they provide a stress-free, painless and non-invasive specimen collection procedure, that can be performed in the privacy of the home. The major difference between urinary and salivary hormone testing is that whilst the urinary tests measure the total daily production of hormones, saliva tests only measure hormone levels at a moment in time. This can be an advantage however, when the hormone such as cortisol or melatonin fluctuates throughout the day, or if midnight sampling is required. Specific reference ranges for different hormones and administration routes are also available for the saliva tests. This therefore makes salivary hormone testing optimal for those on hormone supplementation.
What day of the month should I collect my sample for hormone testing?
For premenopausal women it is advisable to collect the sample on day 19-21 of your menstrual cycle (Day 1 is the first day of your menstrual period). Menopausal women can collect the specimen on any day of the month.
My doctor told me to collect on day 21 of my cycle, and I did but my period came on day 22. What should I do?
It can be difficult to know when to test hormone levels in women that have an irregular cycle. Ideally specimen collection should be performed 7-9 days before the start of the menstrual cycle in women who are ovulating (i.e. day 19-21 of a 28 day cycle). For women with irregular cycles, different practitioners will ask patients to follow different guidelines for specimen collection depending on how they want to analyze the test results. There are two standard options i) produce your sample on day 21 even if you have a long or short menstrual cycle ii) produce a sample 7 days before the onset of menstruation, i.e. For a woman with a 21 day cycle, collect the sample on day 14. For a woman with a 33 day cycle, collect the sample on day 26. Which ever guidelines you and your practitioner decide to follow ensure that you record when you produced your specimen, how long your cycle was and when your period came. Give this information to your doctor to help them interpret your hormone test precisely.
I don't know when day 21 of my menstrual cycle is because my cycle is irregular. What should I do?
If you do not have a menstrual cycle, collect your sample on any day of the month. If your cycle is irregular, recollect the number of days in each of your past 3 menstrual cycles. Calculate the average length of your menstrual cycle over these last 3 months; add up the number of days in each of the three last menstrual cycles and divide by 3. Then follow the guidelines in question 4c (above) for specimen collection. If you are supplementing with hormones, refer to the specimen collection instructions.
What about if I am on birth control pills? Is it still worth taking a hormone test?
When you are on birth control pills it is worthwhile analysing cortisol, DHEA and melatonin. The sex steroids should not be tested if your aim is to establish your body's own levels. However, you could test estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, for example, after coming off the birth control pills. Wait until you have experienced your first menstrual period after stopping the contraceptive pill. Collect your sample on day 20, after the first day of your period (Day 1 is the first day of your menstrual period).
What are bioidentical hormones and where do I get them from?
Bioidentical hormones are natural hormones that are chemically identical to the hormones that are produced by your own body, as opposed to synthetic hormones which are synthesised to be unique and able to be patented by the manufacturing drug companies. Bioidentical hormones are made from a substance extracted from Mexican wild yam, or from soybeans. Our bodies however cannot obtain the hormones directly from these sources. In the laboratory diosgenin is synthesized into the chemically identical equivalent of the hormone (for e.g. progesterone) produced in the body. Bioidentical hormones can only be obtained from a compounding pharmacy with a prescription from your doctor. Compounding pharmacies can make bioidentical hormones in the form of capsules, cream, oil, gel, liquids, troches (oral lozenge), suppositories (for rectal or vaginal application) and pessaries (for vaginal application). Dosing is patient specific, so each dose can be compounded according to the patient's needs, where as in a synthetic hormone, one dose and one form fits all. Our tests will measure total hormone loads whether you are using Bioidentical or Synthetic Hormone options. The choice of what hormone preparations are best for you is between you and your health care provider.
What should I do if I want Bioidentical Hormone Supplementation but my doctor is unfamiliar with this type of hormone therapy?
In this instance, you have a couple of options. Firstly you could request a compounding pharmacist to send information on bioidentical hormones to your doctor, or ask your doctor to contact them directly. Alternatively, your compounding pharmacy could provide you with names of medical doctors in your area who have been trained or have experience in bioidentical hormone supplementation. Either way, we strongly recommend that you educate yourself on the options available to you as a patient and discuss these with your qualified health care practitioner. If you require contact details of compounding pharmacies in your area feel free to contact the ADL Customer Services Team.
If you have any additional questions feel free to contact the ADL Customer Services Team at +1 877 983 7863. Alternatively contact your local ADL agent for relevant information for your country.
