Biomarkers Guides
When Should You Take Your SiPhox Health Test?
Written by SiPhox Health Research Team
Last updated: June 18, 2025
2 mins read
A Guide to Timing, Fasting, and Preparation
To get the most accurate insights from your SiPhox blood test—whether you’re using EasyDraw or finger prick—timing and preparation matter. Here’s how to prepare based on the panel you’re taking:
⏰ Best Time to Test
Test in the morning, ideally within 1–2 hours of waking up. This aligns with your body’s natural hormone rhythms (like cortisol and testosterone) and reduces variability.
🧘♀️ Should You Fast?
Yes, fast for 8–12 hours before your test. Water is fine. Fasting improves accuracy for:
- Glucose & insulin (Core, Heart & Metabolic)
- Lipids like LDL and triglycerides
- Hormones like cortisol, DHEA-S, IGF-1, and even testosterone
💊 Supplements & Meds
Avoid supplements for 24 hours before testing, especially biotin, B12, vitamin D, and adaptogens, which may skew results. Take prescribed medications as instructed by your health provider.
🏋️ Exercise
Avoid intense workouts the morning of your test. Exercise can elevate:
- Cortisol
- Testosterone
- Glucose and insulin
- Creatine kinase (CK)
Light walking is fine, but no strenuous activity.
🧪 Panel-Specific Prep
| Panel | Prep Instructions |
|---|---|
| Core Health | Fast 8–12 hours, test in the morning, no exercise |
| Heart & Metabolic | Fast 8–12 hours, test in the morning, avoid exercise and supplements |
| Hormones | Fast 8-12 hoursTest within 1–2 hrs of waking, no supplements or exercise |
| Ultimate | Fast 8–12 hours, test within 1–2 hrs of waking, no supplements or exercise |
Women-Specific Hormone Testing
We recommend following these guidelines to capture a more standardized baseline, but testing on other days can still be informative.
If you have menstrual cycles and are not on birth control:
Take the test on Day 3 of your period.
Count day 1 as the first day of full flow that starts before 5 pm.
Get your period at 3 pm on Monday? Test on Wednesday.
Get your period at 8 pm on Monday? Test on Thursday.
If you have menstrual cycles and are on birth control:
Users of continuous contraceptives like the minipill or hormonal IUD who still have regular periods should test on Day 3 of their periods. If you do not experience regular periods, it’s advised to wait three months after stopping contraceptives for hormone levels to normalize.
If you do not undergo menstruation cycles due to menopause:
You can take the hormonal panel on any day.