Do I need to fast for my testing?
You do NOT need to fast unless your doctor has specifically asked you to fast.
Fasting means that you abstain from:
- All foods
- All fluids (other than water)
- For a period of 8-14 hours prior to testing.
- Do not fast for more than 16 hours prior to your testing.
- Children under 12 should avoid fasting for more than 4-6 hours.
- Diabetics should not fast without prior medical advice.
- Continue to take any medication unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
Should I continue with my medications before my blood test?
You can continue to take your medication as per usual leading up to your tests, however some tests do require that you withhold medication.
Usually tests that require the medication to be withheld will be testing that medication itself. If you are not sure what to do regarding your medication, you should seek advice from your doctor.
Tests Requiring Special Preparation
Some tests require special preparation before your collection.
The most important note is to always follow your doctor's instructions. The instructions below are general, but your doctor knows you
and your health, so the instructions from your doctor are the most important ones to follow.
For further information relating to specific tests, please see below.
How do I prepare for a Glucose Tolerance Testing?
This is a fasting test and requires you to stay at the Collection Centre for just over 2 hours. During the test, you will have your blood taken 3 times over the 2 hours:
- A fasting blood sample is taken. Immediately after that sample is taken, you will then be given a glucose drink which must be consumed within 5 minutes.
- A second blood test will be collected 1 hour after you drank the glucose drink.
- A third blood test will be collected 2 hours after you drank the glucose drink.
- Maintain a normal diet with an adequate carbohydrate content and your usual physical activity for at least 3 days prior to your test.
- Ensure you are fasting and have had nothing to eat or drink (other than plain water) overnight for 8 – 12 hours prior to having your test.
- DO NOT fast for longer than 14 hours, as this may affect your results.
- You may have water overnight to ensure good hydration.
Smoking, food or drinks are not permitted during the test.
Click here to download a pdf with this information
How do I prepare for a H. Pylori Breath / Urea Breath Test?
The test involves swallowing a capsule and then exhaling into a breath capture device and takes approximately 15 minutes.
No appointment is necessary, and the instructions below are to be followed prior to taking the test:
1. Medications
- All Antibiotics or bismuth containing products (De-Nol, Helidac) must be stopped for 4 weeks prior to test.
- Cytoprotectives (Carafate, Sucralfate, Ulcyte) must be stopped for 2 weeks prior to test.
- Proton pump inhibitors (Acimax, Esomeprazole, Losec, Maxor, Nexium, Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Pariet, Probitor, Rabeprazole, Somac, Zoton) must be stopped for 1 week prior to test.
- Antacids and H2 Antagonists (Amfamox, Ausran, Cimehexal, Cimetidine, Famotidine, Hexal Ranitic, Magicul, Nizatidine, Pepcid, Pepcidine, Rani 2, Ranihexal, Ranitidine, Ranoxyl, Sigmetadine, Tagamet, Tazac, Zantac) must be stopped during fasting period.
2. Fasting - Food and water
- Patient must fast for a minimum of 4 hours - recommended 6 hours or overnight. This includes no foods or intake of any form of liquid e.g. no tea, coffee or water.
- No smoking at least 8 hours prior to the test.
- Patients must not brush their teeth.
- If the patient is pregnant or breast feeding, please consult with your referring doctor.
- If the patient is a child, a C14 Urea breath test may be performed provided the child is able to swallow the capsule (The parent or guardian should provide this information). If the child is unable to swallow the capsule, please consult with your preferring doctor. DO NOT open capsule.
How do I prepare for Semen Analysis Testing?
Semen specimens must be dropped off by the patient at one of three 4Cyte laboratories during operational hours:
Before the test:
- Obtain a sterile container from your doctor or 4Cyte Pathology Collection Centre.
- Abstain from ejaculation (intercourse, masturbation) for 2 to 7 days.
- The semen specimen should not be collected until 12 weeks after your operation, and after at least 20 ejaculations.
- Write the following details on the collection container - your given name and surname - date of birth - the time and date of sample collection.
- The specimen is obtained by masturbation into the sterile container provided.
- Do not use other containers, lubricants or a condom, as they may contain chemicals which can affect the test result.
- Collect the complete ejaculate - if the sample is incomplete write a note on the container and questionnaire below.
- Print out and bring the Form “WI – Patient Instructions for Semen Collection” (link attached below)
- Keep the specimen at body temperature. e.g. keep it close to your body, put it inside your inner jacket or shirt pocket.
- Deliver your sample, pathology request form and your completed collection/instruction form within one hour of specimen collection to the laboratory at:
- 1 Lucknow Road, North Ryde NSW (Mon–Sat: 8am to 5pm)
- 3/796 High Street Kew VIC (Mon–Fri: 8am to 5pm, Sat:1pm to 5pm)
- 12/8 Metroplex Avenue, Murrarie, QLD (Mon–Fri: 8am to 5pm, Sat:1pm-5pm)
How do I prepare for Cardiac Monitoring (ECG, Blood Pressure, Holter Monitor, 24hour etc)
You are required to make an appointment for some cardiac monitoring:
- Blood Pressure monitoring (often called BP or ABP testing)
- Cardiac Holter monitoring (often called 24Hr Holter Monitoring, or Holter Monitoring)
Patient Preparations:
- Click here to download patient instructions on preparing for Cardiac Holter monitoring
- Blood Pressure monitoring is bulk billed (no charge to patient) for all Medicare referrals
- Cardiac Holter monitoring is bulk billed (no charge to patient) for all Medicare referrals
How do I prepare for a Venesection?
What is a therapeutic venesection?
A therapeutic venesection is the same procedure as donating a unit of blood at Red Cross. It
is therapeutic because it is part of the treatment for your condition and has been requested by
your doctor. It is used to lower iron in your body if you have haemochromatosis or to reduce
the “thickness” of your blood if you have polycythaemia.
Locations:
4Cyte offers venesections at select collection centre sites only. Go to the “Locations” page on the 4Cyte website,
and Filter your search by Test Type “Venesection.” This will display the sites where you can attend to get a venesection performed by 4Cyte.
Preparation:
Please have a nice big breakfast on the morning of your venesection. Have plenty of
fluids (preferably water) at least one hour prior to your appointment. DO NOT
FAST. Wear loose comfortable clothing so the collector can access the arm.
Procedure:
The collector will ask you some health questions and obtain your written consent for the
procedure. Your blood pressure will be measured. If there are any concerns about your health
or your blood pressure, you will be referred back to your doctor.
A needle is inserted into your vein. This is attached to a bag and the blood drains into this bag
(up to 450mls). It usually takes 15 – 20 minutes.
Sometimes your blood pressure may fall for a short time while your body adjusts to the removal
of the blood. This may cause dizziness or a feeling of anxiety or faintness. If this happens,
inform the collector who will keep you lying down for a short time. Drinking fluids can help
replace lost volume.
Other risks are bruising and bleeding at the site of the needle insertion. This is minimised by
the application of pressure to the site once the needle is removed.
Very uncommonly, there may be a risk of infection at the site or damage to the nerve next to
the blood vessel.
Afterwards:
- Leave the compression dressing in place for 30 minutes.
- Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for 24 hours.
- Resume drinking plenty of fluids for the rest of the day.
- Inform your doctor if you have fever, bleeding or redness at the venesection site or if you are unwell in any way.
How do I self-collect a midstream urine specimen? (Female)
Patient instructions for Mid-Stream Urine Collection Micro & Culture - Female
- Label urine container with your Full Name, Date of Birth, Date and Time of Collection
- Wash hands
- Remove the lid from the urine container, taking care not to touch the inside of the lid or the inside of the container.
- Place the lid of the container with the inside of the cap face up.
- Using water wipes separate the folds (labia) and with the water wipes provided, cleaning the area moving from front to back.
- Continue to hold the folds open and begin to pass urine into the toilet.
- Bring the urine container into the urine stream and collect a “midstream” specimen. Fill the container approximately 50% full.
- Finish urinating into the toilet. Secure the lid on the container firmly without cross threading to avoid leakage
- Deliver the sample to the Collection Centre as soon as possible. If delayed keep the sample refrigerated.
- Chlamydia/ Gonorrhea
Specimens must be collected from the first stream sample in a separate urine container.
Click here to download a pdf with this information
How do I self-collect a midstream urine specimen? (Male)
Patient instructions for Mid-Stream Urine Collection Micro & Culture - Male
- Label urine container with your Full Name, Date of Birth, Date and Time of Collection.
- Wash hands.
- Remove the lid from the urine container, taking care not to touch the inside of the lid or the inside of the container.
- Place the lid of the container with the inside of the cap face up.
- Open the water wipe. Retract the foreskin (if present) and use the water wipe to clean the entire head of the penis.
- Begin to pass urine into the toilet.
- Bring the urine container into the urine stream and collect a “midstream” specimen. Fill the container approximately 50% full.
- Finish urinating into the toilet.
- Secure the lid on the container firmly without cross threading to avoid leakage.
- Deliver the sample to the collection Centre as soon as possible.
- If delayed keep the sample refrigerated.
Click here to download a pdf with this information
How do I self-collect a faeces specimen?
Follow instructions carefully to ensure that your test results are accurate and reliable.
Your doctor or pathology collector will give you a brown top jar for specimen collection.
- Label the jar with your full name, date of birth and date and time of collection.
- Ensure that no urine comes into contact with the faeces sample.
- Pass urine into the toilet first if necessary, then place a clean plastic container (such as an ice cream container) into the toilet bowl to catch the faeces.
- Using the scoop inside the lid of the jar with the brown lid, collect an amount the size of an unshelled walnut, put into the jar and secure lid tightly to prevent leakage. Avoid cross threading.
- Avoid cross threading when securely screwing on the lid
- Deliver the specimen to your nearest 4Cyte Pathology collection center as soon as possible after collection.
How do I self-collect a Cervical Screening HPV swab?
This swab collection must not be performed during your menstrual period. Wait until menstrual bleeding stops before collecting sample.
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Sit, stand or lie in a comfortable position.
- Lower your underwear.
- Twist the cap and remove the swab from the packaging.
- Do not touch the soft tip and do not put the swab down once opened.
- Locate the small red mark about half way along the swab.
- Use your free hand to move skin folds at the entrance of your vagina.
- Insert the swab into your vagina.
- Aim to insert the swab up to the small red mark. This should not hurt but may feel uncomfortable.
- Gently rotate the swab in a circular motion for 10-30 seconds.
- Remove the swab carefully and place the swab back into the container.
- Secure the cap.
- Return the secured swab container to your doctor, nurse or collector.
Can I store my stool or urine sample overnight?
It is best that we get your sample(s) at the earliest opportunity. However, your sample can be stored overnight if necessary. If you are doing this, it is important to ensure that:
- You screw the lid on tightly
- Place the sample jar in a sealed bag
- Place the sealed bag inside the specimen bag
- Keep the whole package refrigerated