Venous blood sample should be taken on an empty stomach

Venous blood samples are best taken between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.

The patient is advised to avoid a high-fat diet, dairy products and alcohol in the afternoon and evening prior to the test.

If possible, the patient should (only in agreement with their GP) interrupt their regular medication 3 days before the test. It is recommended that the patient drink 0.25 l of water or tea in the morning prior to the test. Unless a glycaemia test is required, the liquid may be slightly sweetened.

Morning urine sample

Patents are advised to collect a sample of urine mid-stream of their first urination of the day. We recommend the washing of genitals to prevent chemical and bacterial contamination. The urine should be delivered to the lab without delay.

Urine collection

Patients should be advised on the correct technique for urine collection. An adult should capture 1.5 – 2.0 l of urine over 24 hours. Patients should therefore drink approximately 0.75 l of water or mineral water throughout each of the 6 hours of the collection period (except at night). For a 24-hour urine collection, the patient should not collect a sample from the first urination of the day. They should start collecting samples from the second urination of the day, including any urine produced while defecating. After 24 hours of collecting urine, the patient should collect urine for the last time and deliver the collection vessel(s) closed and labelled with their name and birth number to the physician or to the lab.