Frequently Asked Questions

• Which test should I order?
• Can I order via email?
• How long does it take for my kit to arrive?
• I have not received an order confirmation.
• I want to cancel my order.
• How long will it take to receive my findings?
• How do I get my findings?
• Can I get advice for my test result? Can you tell me what remedy to take?
• I take medication. Can this affect the outcome?
• I take probiotics. Does this affect the outcome?
• Do I have to eat the foods on the foods sensitivity test to receive valid results?
• Does my health insurance company cover my test?
• Can I use my FSA or HSA card to order tests?
• When do I need to return the samples to the lab?

• My cycle is so irregular that I can’t determine when being about one week before the menstruation.
• I would like to do the test on a Friday/weekend, but in the instructions it is written that you should send the samples only at the beginning of the week.
• How long can you store or use saliva samples?
• What is the difference between a hormone saliva test and a blood hormone test, and why can the results vary widely?

• How long can I store or use stool samples?
• Does the gluten intolerance test also show a reaction when I am on a gluten-free diet?

ORDER

Which test should I order?↑ TOP
To find the right test for you, click through the tests that we offer and read through the descriptions.

Can I order via email?↑ TOP
No, all orders must be placed through our website.

How long does it take for my kit to arrive?↑ TOP
Once you place your order, you will receive a tracking email directly from Vibrant America. Please look for an email from support@vibrant-america.com. Kits should arrive within one weeks’ time.

If you have not received your kit, please contact Vibrant America directly at 1-866-364–0963 (please note, that Vibrant America will not offer advice on which kit to order, nor will they offer any medical advice or interpretation with your test results.

I have not received an order confirmation. ↑ TOP
Please check your junk folder for an emailed receipt from info@functionalmedicineshop.com and tracking from support@vibrant-america.com. If you do not see either of these emails, please email us directly at info@functionalmedicineshop.com

I want to cancel my order. ↑ TOP
Unfortunately, all kit orders are non-refundable. This is detailed at checkout. Your order will proceed and we will notify you when the results are in.

How long will it take to receive my findings?↑ TOP
From the day the sample arrives in our laboratory, it takes around 2-3 weeks until the findings are completed.

If you have not received your report after this deadline, please contact us at info@functionalmedicineshop.com. Please understand that we cannot speed up the processing of your sample.

How do I get my findings?↑ TOP
You will receive notification that your results are ready via email. You will be instructed to go to https://www.vibrant-america.com/patient-nav-portal to access your results.

Can I get advice for my test result? Can you tell me what remedy to take?↑ TOP
Test interpretation will be included with your test results. For legal reasons, our findings do not include individualized therapy recommendations. We may recommend standard protocol suggestions that you may then share with your PCP to discuss if these recommendations should be implemented.

I take medication. Can this affect the outcome?↑ TOP
That depends on the test you want to carry out and the medications you are taking. In case of doubt, please ask your doctor regarding the areas that are influenced by the medication prescribed by your doctor and do not stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor.

I take probiotics. Does this affect the outcome?↑ TOP
Taking probiotics means supplying flora to your intestinal tract. If you run a stool test while taking probiotics will make it impossible to distinguish the amount of natural and imbalanced bacteria in your gut. If you aim to find out about the amount of natural bacteria in your gut, we recommend you to stop taking probiotics two weeks before carrying out the stool test.

Do I have to eat the foods on the foods sensitivity test to receive valid results? ↑ TOP
Yes, please look at the list, and make sure that you have eaten all the foods listed (that you are interesting in testing) within the past three months. If you have not eaten a food on the list and you want to correctly test it, please consume if daily for two weeks and then wait three weeks to run the test.

Does my health insurance company cover my test?↑ TOP
Unfortunately, Functional Medicine Shop and Vibrant America is not contracted with any insurance companies right now. Since our tests don’t require an office visit, the end price is typically lower than out-of-pocket costs you would usually have with such office-lab tests.

Can I use my FSA or HSA card to order tests?↑ TOP
Our profiles are eligible for use with FSA/ HSA funds. Simply use your FSA/ HSA credit card and then submit your receipt to oversite (if they request it). A receipt will be emailed to you at the time of purchase. If you don’t see this, please look in your junk folder.

When do I need to return the samples to the lab?↑ TOP
Plan to collect early in the week and return your samples in the prepaid envelope within 24 hours of collectio.

SALIVA TESTS

My cycle is so irregular that I can’t determine when being about one week before the menstruation.↑ TOP
If you can estimate when you are going to be in the second cycle phase, the test should be carried out in this second cycle phase.

If that also can't be assessed, samples can be taken on any day. However, in this case we can’t classify whether progesterone and estradiol are in the normal range as this is dependent on the cycle phase..

I would like to do the test on a Friday/weekend, but in the instructions it is written that you should send the samples only at the beginning of the week.↑ TOP
It is best to store the samples in the fridge or freezer and send them out next Monday. So they do not sit at a shipping depot over the weekend.

How long can you store or use saliva samples?↑ TOP
In principle, it is recommended to send the samples back as soon as possible after collection. In the freezer, the samples last several weeks.

What is the difference between a hormone saliva test and a blood hormone test, and why can the results vary widely?↑ TOP
Hormone saliva tests and blood hormone tests are two different test types. In contrast to saliva tests, blood tests are unable to differentiate the protein-bound (inactive) from the freely available and active hormones and thus give an approximate value. Therefore, the results of saliva tests and blood tests are not comparable with each other.

STOOL TESTS

How long can I store or use stool samples?↑ TOP
Stool samples need to be analyzed as soon as possible after collection, as they only last for a couple of days. To ensure that, please make sure to collect and ship them the same day. You can keep them in the refrigerator on that day until they are shipped (do not freeze). We check the collection date of every sample arriving, making sure the sample is not too old. If, for some reason, the shipping took longer than expected and the sample is too old to ensure correct results, we will contact you immediately and send you a new test kit.

Does the gluten intolerance test also show a reaction when I am on a gluten-free diet?↑ TOP
No, you should consume food that contains gluten daily for two weeks, then wait three weeks and then run the test. **Please consult with your doctor first. If, by adding a food, you are triggering known inflammation, immune response and symptoms, please rethink running this test (i.e. you already know you react to the food).