This kit guide covers two different sample types: a fingertip dried blood spot and dried urine collected on separate cards. Collection steps and materials vary by panel, so start by matching the test code on your requisition to the instructions. This article summarises the Blood Spot + Dried Urine Collection Instructions; follow the full guide supplied with your kit.
Check your panel and prepare
The guide has panel-specific timing for blood and urine collections. Blood spots should be collected within one hour of waking. If your panel includes cardiometabolic tests such as insulin or triglycerides, the guide recommends an overnight fast of 10–12 hours, with water only. Menstrual-cycle timing can apply to some hormone tests, so use the timing section for your exact panel rather than a general schedule.
Three days before collection, the guide advises avoiding anti-ageing or anti-wrinkle facial creams and biotin (vitamin B7) products. It also includes separate instructions for hormone users and for iodine or selenium intake. Review those sections if they apply to you; do not stop or change prescribed medicines or hormones without advice from your healthcare professional.
Collect the dried blood spot
- Write your name, collection date and time on the blood spot card before washing your hands.
- Wash and dry your hands, warm them, then open the card without touching the filter paper. Secure it to a flat surface below heart level.
- Clean the side of a middle or ring finger on your non-dominant hand with the alcohol pad and let it air-dry. Use the supplied lancet as directed and wipe away the first drop with gauze.
- Keep your hand below your waist and gently milk the finger. Place one drop in the centre of each circle without overlapping. The guide prioritises several well-saturated spots over partially filled circles.
Blood should soak through so it is visible on the back of the card. Leave the card open to dry for at least four hours, then close it and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Collect the dried urine cards
The guide uses four urine collection times: the first urination upon waking, the second urination of the day about two hours later, just before dinner, and before bed. At each collection, write your name, date and time on a separate card. Follow the kit’s exact timetable. The PDF says to limit water to no more than 8 oz in the hour before each urine collection. It also gives specific directions for the first morning sample, including food, supplements and medicines; check with your healthcare professional before delaying any prescribed medicine.
Apply urine directly to the filter paper or collect it in a clean cup and dip the paper to the top black dash line. Keep the filter paper from touching other surfaces while it dries. Let each card dry completely for at least six hours before refolding and sealing it in its bag. Do not place wet samples in the kit box, and do not leave dry cards out of their bags for more than 24 hours.
If you miss a urine collection, the guide says to collect at the same time the following day and update the time on the card and requisition form. Contact the laboratory if you are unsure how to complete or restart a collection.
Return the samples
Complete and sign the paperwork, place the dry samples and documents in the kit box, then use the return packaging and carrier specified for your kit. The guide notes that wet or unsealed urine samples and samples more than 30 days old will not be processed.
Explore the collection and kits
Browse the Multi Hormone Profile Tests collection, or see the Men All-In-One Test and Women All-In-One Test. These example kits list dried blood spot and dried urine among their sample types; check each kit’s full instructions for all required samples.
This article covers specimen collection only. It is not medical advice or an interpretation of test results. Follow the kit guide and contact the laboratory or a qualified healthcare professional if you are unsure about timing, medicines or collection.