How to Prepare for a Pyroluria Test — Step by Step

5–7 days before collection — what to stop taking

These supplements lower the level of pyrrole molecules in urine and can cause a false negative result. Stop them at least 5–7 days before collecting urine:

• Vitamin B6 in any form (pyridoxine, P5P)
• Zinc in any form (gluconate, citrate, picolinate, bisglycinate)
• Manganese
• High-dose vitamin C (above 1000 mg/day) — normal dietary intake is fine
• B-complexes with high doses of B6
• Magnesium with vitamin B6 — some commercial products contain this combination

Don't stop medications prescribed by your doctor on your own. If you take prescribed supplements or medications containing B6 or zinc, consult your doctor or write to us at info@psylab.sk — sometimes it's better to postpone the test.

24 hours before collection — diet and activity

Alcohol — avoid for 24 hours before collection. Alcohol can affect the result in either direction.

Intense exercise — avoid strength training, long runs, or intense physical exertion. Stress can temporarily raise pyrrole molecule levels.

Stress and lack of sleep — if you're in an acute stress episode or unable to sleep, postpone the test by a few days. Acute depression or panic can skew the result.

Diet — eat normally, nothing extreme. Avoid mega-doses of green vegetables (spinach, kale) the day before collection — high folate can affect the result in cases of concurrent histadelia.

How the sample collection works (morning urine)

Step 1 — Right after waking. The Pyroluria test is collected from your first morning urine — it is the most concentrated and gives the most accurate result. Do not urinate into the toilet beforehand.

Step 2 — Collecting into the tube. Using the pipette and measuring scoop included in the kit, transfer the required amount of urine into the special tube from the kit (exact steps are in the enclosed instructions).

Step 3 — Sealing and storage. Seal the tube properly, label it as instructed, and keep it cool and dark until you send it.

Step 4 — Sending the sample. Mail the sample as soon as possible (ideally the same day) to the partner laboratory, following the enclosed instructions.

When it is NOT the right time to test

Acute infection (flu, COVID, inflammation) — pyrrole molecules may be temporarily elevated. Wait 2–4 weeks after recovery.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding — the test is technically safe (non-invasive), but the result is harder to interpret due to hormonal changes. We recommend consulting your doctor and us first.

Acute psychiatric episode — if you are in severe depression, panic, or an acute anxiety phase, postpone the test by a few days or weeks. Acute stress can distort the result.

Shortly after major physical exertion (marathon, extended exercise, injury) — wait at least a week.

What you get from PsyLab after ordering

After submitting the contact form on the order page, you will receive an email with payment details and instructions.

Once payment is received, we'll mail you a test kit: a special tube with a pipette and measuring scoop for the morning urine sample, step-by-step instructions, and a prepaid return envelope.

You will receive the result electronically within 2–4 weeks, along with a brief explanation of what it means.

After the result, we recommend a 45-minute consultation (€75), where a consultant will go over the findings with you and explain the individual values; nutritional support is handled in the Consultation with a Doctor / Therapist (€149).