The lab tests listed below have special requirements that should be adhered to prior to specimen collection. The tests are listed alphabetically.

Patients please note: Obtain the advice of your physician before discontinuing any medications.

Tests

Preparations
5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (5-HIAA)

On the day prior to and the day of the specimen collection, avoid:

  • bananas
  • avocados
  • plums
  • eggplant
  • tomatoes
  • plantains
  • pineapples
  • walnuts
If acceptable to your physician, do not take any of the following medications for the 48-hour period prior to specimen collection:
  • acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • salicylates (aspirin)
  • phenacetin
  • cough syrup containing glyceryl guaiacolate
  • mephenesin
  • isoniazid
  • MAO inhibitors (e.g., Parnate®, Nardil®, Marplan®)
  • methenamine (Prosed® or Urinsed®)
  • methyldopa (Aldomet®)
  • phenothiazines (e.g., Thorazine®, Mellaril®, Stelazine®)
Alpha-1- Antitrypsin Fasting (overnight) preferred
Amino Acid Quantitation (Urine and Plasma) Fasting (4 hrs) required
Amino Acid Screen (qualitative) Fasting (4 hrs) required
Anti Histone Ab Fasting (overnight) preferred
Anti ssDNA IGG Antibodies Fasting (overnight) preferred
Anti-Platelet antibody Screen Scheduled by appointment at MLHL Hospital collection facilities only.
Antithrombin III Antigen Fasting (overnight) preferred. If acceptable to your physician, refrain from taking the following medications for 3 days prior to the specimen collection:
  • Anabolic steroids
  • gemfibrozil
  • Warfarin (Coumadin)
  • heparin therapy
  • asparaginase
  • estrogens
  • gestodene
  • oral contraceptives
Anti-ssDNA IGG Antibodies Fasting (overnight) preferred
Apolipoprotein evaluation Fasting (12 hrs)
Arginine Vasopressin (ADH) Fasting (4 hrs)
Arsenic, Random Urine Refrain from eating shellfish, shrimp, crab, lobster and bottom-feeding fish such as flounder for at least 3 days prior to the specimen collection.
Basic Metabolic Panel Fasting (overnight) preferred
Bleeding Time If acceptable to your physician, refrain from taking aspirin for three to five days prior to the test. Available only at Paoli Hospital Outpatient Lab.
Cadmium, Random Urine Patients should refrain from eating shellfish for at least 3 days prior to the specimen collection.
Calcitonin Fasting (overnight) preferred
Cardio C-reactive protein (highly or ultra sensitive CRP) Fasting (overnight) preferred
Catecholamines, Plasma Fasting (overnight)

For the day before and the day of specimen collection, do not consume:

  • alcohol
  • bananas
  • tea
  • coffee
  • caffeine
  • chocolate
If you have had an X-ray procedure during which contrast material was injected (IVP, angiogram, myelogram, etc.), wait at least 3 days before collecting a specimen.
Cholesterol Overnight fasting may be required. Ask your physician or health care provider.
Chromium, Urine If acceptable to your physician,refrain from taking vitamins or mineral supplements at least 1 week prior to collection.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel Fasting (overnight) preferred
C-Peptide Fasting
Cryoglobulins Fasting (overnight) required
DHEA Unconjugated Fasting required
D-Xylose absorption Fasting (overnight and during test period). Scheduled by appointment at MLHL hospital collection facilities only.
Fecal Occult Blood If acceptable to your physician, avoid aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) and naproxen (Aleve®, Naprosyn®) for 7days prior to and during the test period.

If acceptable to your physician, avoid for 48 hours prior to and during the test period:

  • Vitamin C in excess of 250 mg per day (from all sources, dietary and supplemental)
  • red meat (beef, lamb), including processed meats and liver
  • Raw fruits and vegetables (especially melons, turnips and horseradish)
Gastrin Fasting (12 hrs)
Glucagon Fasting required
Glucose (Fasting Blood Sugar) Fasting (overnight) required
Glucose Tolerance Tests Scheduled by appointment at all MLHL collection facilities.
Heavy Metals panel Patient should refrain from eating seafood at least 3 days prior to specimen collection.
Hepatic Function Panel Fasting (overnight) preferred
Insulin Fasting required
Jewish Genetic (Tay-Sachs) Panel Scheduled by appointment at all MLHL collection facilities.
Karyotyping Scheduled by appointment at all MLHL collection facilities.
Lactate, venous Patient should be fasting and on bed rest 2 hours prior to collection.
Lactose Tolerance Fasting
Leukemia Panel Scheduled by appointment at all MLHL collection facilities.
Lipid Profile Overnight fasting may be required. Ask your physician or health care provider.
Lipoprotein (a) Overnight fasting may be required. Ask your physician or health care provider.
Lipoprotein A Overnight fasting may be required. Ask your physician or health care provider.
Metanephrines

Fasting (overnight)

For the day before and the day of specimen collection, do not consume:

  • alcohol
  • bananas
  • tea
  • coffee
  • caffeine
  • chocolate
If you have had an X-ray procedure during which contrast material was injected (IVP, angiogram, myelogram, etc.), wait at least 3 days before collecting a specimen.
Peroxisomal Panel Fasting. No alcohol consumption for 24 hours prior to specimen collection.
Philadelphia Chromosome Scheduled by appointment at all MLHL collection facilities.
Proinsulin Fasting (overnight) required
Protein C (Antigenic) If acceptable to your physician, if you are receiving Warfarin (Coumadin) therapy, discontinue medication 2 weeks before testing.
Pyruvate Fasting
Renal Profile Fasting (overnight) preferred
Ristocetin cofactor Fasting (overnight) preferred
Schilling Test Patients should call Bryn Mawr Hospital Radiology at 484-337-8818 to schedule an appointment.
Sweat Test Available only at Bryn Mawr Hospital. Schedule an appointment with Bryn Mawr Hospital lab at 484-337-3508.
Triglycerides Overnight fasting may be required. Ask your physician or health care provider.
Vanillylmandelic Acid (VMA) The day before and the day of the specimen collection, do not consume:
  • bananas
  • fruit juices
  • octopus meat
If acceptable to your physician, the day before and the day of the collection the following drugs should be avoided:
  • triamterene (Diazide®, Dyrenium®, Maxzide®)
  • phenylpyruvic acid
  • labetalol (Normodyne®, Trandate®)
  • methyldopa (Aldomet®)
Vitamin A (Retinol) Fasting (overnight) preferred
Vitamin B6 Fasting (overnight) preferred
Vitamin C Fasting (overnight) preferred. If acceptable to your physician,refrain from taking vitamins or vitamin supplements for at least 24 hrs prior to collection.
Vitamin E Fasting (overnight) preferred
Xylose Absorption Fasting (overnight) preferred
Zinc If acceptable to your physician,refrain from taking vitamins or mineral supplements at least 3 days prior to specimen collection.