Do I need to freeze my sample before shipping it to the lab?

Tiny Health gut and vaginal microbiome collection swabs do not need to be frozen before being returned to the lab for processing. Tiny Health microbiome tests report on microbial markers, by sequencing their DNA. DNA is very stable at ambient temperatures and therefore does not need to be frozen.

We also use a collection swab with the latest fast drying technology. This fast drying technology allows the swab to preserve the microbes from your sample and inactivates them which stops them from continuing to grow in transit. This advanced technology allows us to accurately process samples stored at room temperature for up to four weeks.

If your physician would like you to add on Tiny Health Pro, which tests for non-microbial markers, this part of your sample would need to be frozen. Non-microbial markers such as proteins like sIgA, elastase, and calprotectin, will degrade at room temperature. These non-microbial markers therefore have to be flash frozen before sending in your sample.