FAQ

1. Q: Why does my patient need intracellular micronutrient testing and how can it impact my medical practice?

A: Micronutrients, like vitamins are minerals, are present inside and outside the cell. Extracellular level which is a measurement done in serum may not give you the actual condition inside the cell. Testing in the intracellular level can provide us with the actual level of the micronutrient inside the cell where metabolism occurs and allow us to detect deficiencies inside the cell before symptoms occur. Through this, you can give an accurate information that can be a basis to come up with a precise and personalized protocol suitable for your patients nutritional condition.

2. Q: What value can my patients get from nutrient testing?

Each nutrient is responsible for specific physiological functions, which make every nutrient unique and irreplaceable. Any disruptions to your patient body’s nutritional balance can leave a substantial impact on health. Every person has a unique biochemical individuality, influenced by diet, age, lifestyle, genetics and medical conditions. Identifying micronutrient requirements should be done without guesswork.

Your patients can prevent or mitigate the long-term effects of nutritional imbalance through nutrient testing. This provides you as their doctor the accurate information that can be used to formulate a precise, proactive, and personalized dietary and supplementation protocol suitable to your patients.

3. Q: How can I refer patients for nutrient testing to your laboratory?

A: All qualified medical and health practitioners can refer patients for any of our tests.  Start by filling out the New Account Information so you can be part of our affiliate doctors. You can also request a visit from our Customer Development Specialist to discuss the arrangements and your requirements in details.

4. Q: Can my patient get nutrient testing without a test order?

A: No. A doctor’s test order is needed before any laboratory tests can be performed. We highly recommend that you use our Test Order Request. For any clarification on the tests or inquiry on the appropriate tests for your patient, we can set you an appointment with our clinical support team.

5. Q: I want to refer my patents for testing but my specialization is not nutrition. Who can I refer my patients to for care management?

A: Our nutrient test results are easy to interpret and comes with reference guide for dietary and supplementary support to help you get started. Should you opt to refer your patient to another practitioner, any of our partner doctors and nutritionists are qualified to recommend appropriate tests and clinical intervention for your patient.

6. Q: Can you interpret the lab results on my behalf?

A: No. Laboratory personnel are not allowed to interpret test results for the patient. Many tests have more than one purpose. We cannot tell your patients why they are having the test or what the results mean. Test results are only a part of the total diagnostic picture of their health. Their medical history, other diagnostic tests and other clinical assessments has to be taken into consideration. You are the best person to interpret the test results and recommend appropriate interventions.

7. Q: I have a question about a specific laboratory test/my patients test results. How do I get help?

A: If you have any questions about doing a test, or interpreting the results, contact us by completing the contact us information request form and a MetaMetrics representative will gladly set up an appointment to help you! We can also be contacted by telephone at 02 7910-6382. Hours are 7am to 5pm, Mondays through Fridays, except major holidays. Additionally, we offer free consults by appointment with our Clinical Advisory for Medical Education for questions related to test selection or result interpretation.

8. Q: What kind of specimen is collected in the test?

A: The specimen type and volume will depend on the type of test you ordered for your patient. Blood and/or urine are the most common specimen types requested for the tests available in our laboratory.

9. Q: What is the minimum specimen volume required for the test that I will  request for my patients?

A:  Depending on the nutrient tests requested, we may collect between 5 to 30 ml of blood and 20 ml urine sample.

10. Q: I ordered a test for my patient. Can my patient go to your laboratory for the tests? Where is MetaMetrics located?

A: Your patient can visit us at 88 Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City, with telephone number 02 7910-6382. We are open from 7am to 5pm, Mondays through Fridays. They can have their blood extraction done at our laboratory as we have a licensed Medical Technologist on standby to assist them.

11. Q: What preparation does my patient need to do? Does he need to fast?

A: This depends on the type of blood tests you ordered for your patients. For nutrient testing, we recommend to stop taking any supplements for at least 2 days before the test. If the patient is under medication, the list of drugs he’s taking should be listed in the test order form. For patients taking urine testing, it is recommended to limit the water intake to 8 glasses, 1 day before the test. If you need information on test preparation, please contact our laboratory for assistance or fill out the contact us info in our website.

12. Q: Can my patients take their medications prior to a blood test?

A: Some test results may be affected by some medication. If medication cannot be discontinued 2 days before the test, your patient may proceed with the test, but please provide a list of medications that your patient is taking.

13. Q: How will my patient collect first morning urine specimen?

• 4 Days prior to sample collection:
  • Patient should discontinue all non-essential medications and dietary supplements. If not possible, patient must specify the list of medications and supplements they are taking.
  • If patient are testing for heavy metals, he/she must refrain from eating seafood as it may affect results.
• The day before collection, patient must limit water intake to 8 glasses.
• On collection day
  • Patient must use the urine collection cup provided by your clinic  or any sterile sealable cap
  • Patient must collect midstream urine. To do that, pass a small amount of urine into the toilet. Midway through urination, patient must fill the container up to the designated level (minimum of 20 ml).
  • Patient must label the specimen with their complete name.
  • Patient must seal carefully the urine cup collection.
  • It is important that patient must keep the specimen refrigerated until it’s picked up or send to the laboratory for testing (Note: Specimen, even if refrigerated, has to be processed for testing within 24 hours upon collection).

14. Q: How do I send samples for testing?

A:     You can send your patients sample directly to us. If you are in Metro Manila, we can pick up the samples from you by calling us at 02 7910-6382 for arrangement. Please remember to complete the Test Order Request and send it together with the samples.

15. Q: What are the possible reasons that the specimen of my patients is rejected?

A: Specimen rejection can be caused by a variety of reason. Your specimen may have failed to meet one of the following requirements of MetaMetrics Laboratory:

• Failure to provide the right specimen type (for example: whole blood, serum, plasma, urine)
• Inadequate specimen volume
• Compromised condition of the specimen container (for example; metal-free, separation gel, appropriate preservative)
• Temperature of specimen did not meet specified requirement of 2 to 10 degrees Celsius refrigerated condition
• Over hydration before the test resulting to high pH of urine
• Presence of haemolysis which may occur during prolonged transport or inappropriate collection and storage

16. Q: Why does the test result take longer than standard lab tests?

A: Most of our tests cannot be performed using traditional laboratory instruments found in most clinical laboratories. Our nutrient tests uses more advanced instrumentation and complex test procedures that require longer sample processing and analysis time.

17. Q: When will the test results be available to my patients?

A: Turnaround time or availability of test results vary depending on the test ordered. Most test results are ready within 7 working days. Other tests like the Comprehensive Nutrient Test and Food Intolerance require 10 working days.  You and your patient will be advised as soon as the results are available.

18. Q: How will the test results be provided to my patients?

A: The test results will only be released directly to your patient or to you as the referring doctor. Should your patient wish to share the results with another medical practitioner, your patient should provide a written consent. This is in compliance with the Privacy Act of 2012 (Protection of Health Information Privacy) for the processing of health information that acknowledges the need to implement security measures for data protection.

1. Q: Why do I need intracellular micronutrient testing?

A: Micronutrients, like vitamins are minerals, are present inside and outside the cell. Extracellular level which is a measurement done in serum may NOT give you the actual condition inside the cell. Testing in the intracellular level can provide us with the actual level of the micronutrients inside the cell where metabolism occurs. This allows us to detect deficiencies inside the cell before symptoms occur.

2. Q: What value can I get from nutrient testing?

Each nutrient is responsible for specific physiological functions, which make every nutrient unique and irreplaceable. Any disruptions to your body’s nutritional balance can leave a substantial impact on health. Every person has a unique biochemical individuality, influenced by diet, age, lifestyle, genetics and medical conditions. Identifying micronutrient requirements should be done without guesswork.

You can prevent or mitigate the long-term effects of nutritional imbalance through nutrient testing. This provides your doctor with accurate information that can be used to formulate a precise, proactive, and personalized dietary and supplementation protocol for you.

3. How can I get my nutrient level tested and measured?

A: You will need a doctor’s test order. You can check our partner doctors and test providers listed here. You can also contact us directly at 02 7910-6382 so we can assist you further.  Any of our partner doctors can recommend the appropriate tests for you and will schedule sample collection either in the clinic, hospital, or Metametrics Laboratory.

4. Q: Do I need a doctor’s order for a lab test?

A: Yes. A doctor’s test order is needed before any laboratory tests can be performed. Your doctor should recommend the appropriate tests depending on your health concern and condition.

5. Q: My doctor ordered a nutrient test. Can I go to your laboratory to have my tests done? Where are you located?

A: If you have a test order from your doctor, you can visit us at 88 Shaw Boulevard, Pasig City, with telephone number 02 7910-6382. We are open from 7am to 5pm, Mondays through Fridays. You can have your blood extraction done at our laboratory as we have a licensed Medical Technologist on standby to assist you.

6. Q: Can you interpret the lab results for me?

A: No. Laboratory personnel are not allowed to interpret test results for the patient. Many tests have more than one purpose. We cannot tell you why you are having the test or what the results mean. Test results are only a part of the total diagnostic picture of your health. Your medical history, other diagnostic tests and other clinical assessments has to be taken into consideration. Your doctor is in the best position to interpret the test results and recommend appropriate interventions.If you need access to nutrition practitioners, you can check our list of affiliated clinics and doctors here.

7. Q: What kind of specimen is collected in the test?

A: The specimen type and volume will depend on the type of test ordered by your doctor. Blood and/or urine are the most common specimen type requested for the test available in our laboratory.

8. Q: What is the minimum specimen volume specimen for my test request?

A:  Depending on the nutrient tests requested, we may collect between 5 to 30 ml of blood and 20 ml urine sample.

9. Q: My doctor ordered a blood test. Can I eat or drink before the test?

A: This depends on the type of blood tests ordered. Your doctor should advise you whether the test(s) require fasting (no eating, drinking, gum chewing, etc.) or water intake limitation. If you have questions, please contact your doctor or our laboratory personnel. You can also visit this link to check the test preparation needed before the test.

10. Q: Can I take my medications prior to a blood test?

A: Some test results may be affected by some medication. To be sure, please advise your doctor of any medications you’re currently taking as this has to be properly noted in the test request form that will be prepared for you. You may continue your medication unless your doctor gives you specific instructions not to do so.

11. Q: How do I collect first morning urine specimen?

• 4 Days prior to sample collection:
  • Discontinue all non-essential medications and dietary supplements. If not possible, please specify the list of medications and supplements that you are taking.
  • If you are testing for heavy metals, please refrain from eating seafood as it may affect results.
• The day before collection, please limit water intake to 8 glasses.
• On collection day
  • Use the urine collection cup provided by your doctor or any sterile sealable cap
  • Collect midstream urine. To do this, pass a small amount of urine into the toilet. Midway through urination, fill the container up to the designated level (minimum of 20 ml).
  • Label the specimen with your complete name.
  • Seal carefully the urine cup collection.
  • Keep the specimen refrigerated until it’s picked up or send to the laboratory for testing (Note: Specimen, even if refrigerated, has to be processed for testing within 24 hours upon collection).

12. Q: I am being asked for a new specimen. Why was my specimen rejected?

A: Specimen rejection can be caused by a variety of reason. Your specimen may have failed to meet one of the following requirements of MetaMetrics Laboratory:

• Failure to provide the right specimen type (for example: whole blood, serum, plasma, urine)
• Inadequate specimen volume
• Compromised condition of the specimen container (for example; metal-free, separation gel, appropriate preservative)
• Temperature of specimen did not meet specified requirement of 2 to 10 degrees Celsius refrigerated condition
• Over-hydration before the test resulting to high pH of urine
• Presence of haemolysis which may occur during prolonged transport or inappropriate collection and storage

13. Q: Why does the test result take longer than standard lab tests?

A: Most of our tests cannot be performed using traditional laboratory instruments found in most clinical laboratories. Our nutrient tests uses more advanced instrumentation and complex test procedures that require longer sample processing and analysis time.

14. Q: When will my test results be available?

A: Turnaround time or availability of test results vary depending on the test ordered. Most test results are ready within 7 working days. Other tests like the Comprehensive Nutrient Test and Food Intolerance require 10 working days.  You and your doctor will be advised as soon as the results are made available.

15. Q: How will the test results be provided?

A: Test results will only be released directly to you or your referring doctor. Should you wish to share the results with another medical practitioner, your written consent will be required. This is in compliance with the Privacy Act of 2012 (Protection of Health Information Privacy) for the processing of health information that acknowledges the need to implement security measures for data protection.