Urine Hormone Testing Instructions
How to Collect Samples with Dutch Test
These will be the most data-rich and involved cycles!
Collection Instructions
Do this EACH DAY OF YOUR CYCLE:
The Morning of, or Night before.
1. Complete the collection information on the urine collection device (Date, Day of cycle, Time).
2. Write your name OR ALIAS down on the "patient last name first name line"
3. Place a sticker with the NUMBER OF YOUR CYCLE DAY (e.g., 1 for first day of your period). I have included colored stickers marked with cycle days in your package
4. Take a picture of your test, and text it to Azure.
First thing in the morning - before you pee even once!
5. Make an entry in your logging form (google form or ovulatory tracking app), that you have completed your sample for the day.
6. Upon waking, urinate into a clean cup.
7. Saturate the filter paper by urinating directly on it OR dipping the filter paper for 5 seconds.
8. Leave the sample open to dry for at least 24 hours.
9. Once completely dry, close the collection device and place them in the plastic bag in the freezer and seal.
10. Repeat each day of your cycle.
AFTER COMPLETING YOUR CYCLE:
1. Check that all collected samples are dry.
a. If a sample is not dry, leave it out for an additional 24 hours to dry, and start at step 1 again.
2. Check that all samples are clearly labelled. If any labels are not clear:
a. check that the sticker with the cycle day is intact.
b. add additional labelling to clarify date/time of collection.
c. If necessary, replace the sticker.
d. Text Azure to let clarify any potential labeling confusion.
3. Seal the ziplock bag containing all dried samples.
4. Place samples in a waterproof bubble-wrap envelope (you can re-use the one I sent supplies in) and ship to:
a. Azure Grant, 610 Woodmont Avenue, Berkeley CA, 94708.
5. Save your tracking number, and text it to Azure with the estimated delivery date.
Collecting More than 1 cycle? Go back to the beginning of these instructions, and repeat!
What happens next?
Once Azure receives your package, she will check over your samples and labeling to ensure completeness. She’ll then group together the packages from our group and deliver them to Precision Analytics for testing. Once results are back (this may take a couple of months, depending on the company’s availability… beggars can’t be choosers etc.), Azure will send you your results and begin aligning your data.
At this point, your data collection will be essentially complete! You’re welcome to continue collecting more if you like, but you and I will meet to discuss where to go next.
I will continue to share your analyses to you as I work with the data, and I will continue to post updates on the QCycle website.
Thank you again for making the project!!
Azure
Caution on choosing a cycle during a ‘calm’ time:
- During the cycle(s) you choose to record, you will be collecting a sample on EACH DAY OF YOUR MENSTRUAL CYCLE, starting with day 1 as the first day of your period.
- This portion of the project will require you to fill out a short form written on the collection paper, then pee into a cup each morning upon waking, dip the strip in, photograph the label leave it to dry for at least 1 day in a safe place, and then place the strip in a sealed ziplock bag in the freezer.
- During this portion of the project, you’ll also want to be EXTRA careful about collecting your other data including:
o Your LH surge
o Your Basal Body Temperature
o Any symptoms we’ve discussed together
o Keeping your Oura Ring charged and on your finger as close to 24/7 as possible.
o Keeping your ibuttons on and recording as close to 24/7 as possible.
o Continuing to log in your google sheet or cycle tracking app as you have been doing.
We’ve been donated a limited number of these tests, which are normally $500 per cycle – so we want to make the best use of them as possible. If now doesn’t seem like a good time for any reason, talk it over with me, no problem.
o Potential reasons this may NOT be a good cycle to do hormone testing during:
§ If you’ve been particularly stressed.
§ If your past 1-3 cycles have not represented what you consider your “normal” cycles.
§ If you have flown or traveled across time zones in the last cycle.
§ If you plan to travel across time zones during the cycle you’re thinking of recording.
§ If you will be attempting to get pregnant during the next cycle.
§ If you will be taking on any new medications during the next cycle.
§ If you plan to make significant changes to any existing medication regimens during the cycle you plan to record
· You guys are doing really pioneering work and it’s a fair number of things to remember to do!
I’ve provided enough test papers so that if you make a mistake, you can throw away a few test papers and still have enough to make it through your cycle.