Last Updated: April 22, 2026

Overview

This Results Delivery and Interpretation Policy explains how you will receive your MDM™ Gut & Brain Health test results, the expected timeframes, security measures we use to protect your information, and the critical importance of professional interpretation of results.

Turnaround Time

The complete testing process from sample collection to results delivery involves several steps:

Business Days Defined:

• Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays
• Samples received on Friday afternoon may not be processed until Monday
• Holidays may extend turnaround time by 1 to 2 days

Factors That May Extend Turnaround Time:

• High testing volume during peak periods
• Technical issues requiring repeat analysis
• Quality control holds for verification
• Sample quality issues requiring recollection
• Holidays and laboratory closures
• Delays in shipping (weather, carrier issues)

If your results will be delayed beyond the typical 7 to 10 business day timeframe, we will notify you by email with an updated expected completion date.

Delivery Methods

To ensure security and privacy, we use two methods to deliver your test results:

1. Secure Email Notification:

• When your results are ready, you will receive an email notification at the address you provided during ordering
• The email will NOT contain your actual results (for security reasons)
• The email will include a secure link to access your results through our patient portal
• The link will require password authentication to access results
• Email notifications are encrypted in transit using TLS/SSL

2. Secure Online Patient Portal:

• Results are available through our HIPAA-compliant, password-protected online portal
• You will create a secure account during the ordering process
• You can access the portal at autismdiagnosticslab.com
• Multi-factor authentication is available for enhanced security
• Results remain accessible in the portal for 2 years from the date of testing
• You can download PDF copies of your results for your records

Paper Mail (Upon Request):

• If you prefer to receive results by mail, you may request this option
• Mailed results are sent via USPS First Class Mail in a sealed, unmarked envelope
• Mailing adds approximately 5 to 7 days to the delivery time
• We cannot guarantee security of results sent via standard mail
• Results sent by mail are still available through the online portal

Who Receives Results

Your test results will be made available to specific individuals and entities as outlined below:

Primary Recipients (Always Receive Results):

• Patient, Parent, or Guardian: The individual who ordered the test (or parent or guardian for minors) receives results through the secure portal and email notification
• Laboratory Director: Our CLIA-certified laboratory director reviews and approves all results before release

Optional Recipients (Receive Results if You Designate Them):

• Healthcare Provider or Clinician: If you designate a healthcare provider during ordering, results will be sent to them via secure fax, encrypted email, or portal access
• Authorizing Physician: In states requiring physician authorization (CA, CT, NY, RI), the authorizing physician will receive a copy of results

Other Recipients (Only with Your Written Authorization):

• Other healthcare providers not designated during ordering
• Family members (other than parent or guardian)
• Schools or educational institutions
• Therapists or other service providers
• Insurance companies (if you are seeking reimbursement)

To authorize release of results to additional parties, complete the Authorization for Release of Health Information form available in your patient portal or by contacting us.

Security of Results Transmission

Protecting your health information is our highest priority. We implement multiple layers of security to safeguard your test results:

Technical Security Measures:

• Encryption: All results are encrypted using industry-standard AES-256 encryption when stored and TLS/SSL encryption when transmitted
• Secure Portal: HIPAA-compliant patient portal with password protection and optional multi-factor authentication
• Access Controls: Only authorized personnel can access results in our laboratory information system
• Audit Logging: All access to results is logged and monitored for suspicious activity
• Automatic Logoff: Portal sessions automatically expire after inactivity to prevent unauthorized access
• Secure Email: Email notifications use encrypted transmission and do not contain Protected Health Information

Administrative Security Measures:

• Comprehensive privacy and security policies for all staff
• Regular HIPAA training for employees handling health information
• Background checks for all employees with access to patient data
• Confidentiality agreements signed by all workforce members
• Incident response procedures for suspected security breaches

Physical Security Measures:

• Servers housed in secure, access-controlled data centers
• Redundant backup systems to prevent data loss
• Disaster recovery procedures to ensure continued access to results

Report Format and Contents

Your MDM™ test results report is a comprehensive document designed to provide meaningful information to both you and your healthcare provider. The report includes the following sections:

The complete report is typically 8 to 12 pages and is provided in PDF format for easy viewing, printing, and sharing with healthcare providers.

Secure Portal Access

Your patient portal is the primary method for accessing your test results. Here is what you need to know about portal access:

Creating Your Account:

• You will create a secure account during the test ordering process
• Choose a strong password (minimum 8 characters, including uppercase, lowercase, number, and special character)
• Provide a valid email address for notifications and password resets
• Optionally set up multi-factor authentication for enhanced security

Accessing Your Results:

1. When results are ready, you will receive an email notification
2. Click the secure link in the email or visit autismdiagnosticslab.com
3. Log in with your username (email) and password
4. Complete multi-factor authentication if enabled (code sent to your phone or email)
5. View your results on screen or download as a PDF

Portal Features:

• View Results: Read your complete test report online
• Download PDF: Save a copy of your results for your records or to share with providers
• Message Center: Securely communicate with our laboratory staff about your results
• Order History: View past tests and results (if you have had multiple tests)
• Share Results: Authorize sharing of results with healthcare providers
• Educational Resources: Access articles, FAQs, and guides about metabolomic testing
• Account Settings: Update your contact information and security settings

Portal Security Best Practices:

• Never share your portal login credentials with anyone
• Use a unique password not used for other accounts
• Log out when finished viewing results, especially on shared computers
• Enable multi-factor authentication for enhanced security
• Keep your email address up to date to receive notifications
• Report any suspicious activity or unauthorized access immediately

Re-Delivery Procedures

If you do not receive your results notification or have trouble accessing your results, we can help:

Didn't Receive Email Notification?

• Check your spam or junk folder. Sometimes security emails are filtered automatically.
• Verify that you provided the correct email address during ordering
• Contact us to resend the notification to a different email address
• You can always log in directly to the portal without the email notification

Forgot Your Portal Password?

• Use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page
• You will receive a password reset link at your registered email address
• Follow the link to create a new password
• If you do not have access to your registered email, contact us for account recovery

Technical Issues Accessing Portal?

• Try a different web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
• Clear your browser cache and cookies
• Ensure JavaScript is enabled in your browser
• Try accessing from a different device
• Contact technical support at info@autismdiagnosticslab.com

Need Results Sent to a Different Healthcare Provider?

• Complete an Authorization for Release of Health Information form
• Provide the healthcare provider's name, address, fax, or secure email
• We will send results within 3 business days of receiving your authorization

Results Archiving

Your test results are archived and available for future access according to the following policies:

Active Portal Access:

• Results remain available in your patient portal for 2 years from the date of testing
• During this time, you can log in any time to view or download your results
• You can share portal access with new healthcare providers

Long-Term Archiving:

• After 2 years, results are archived but remain available upon request
• Archived results can be retrieved and sent to you or your healthcare provider
• Retrieval of archived results may take 5 to 10 business days
• A small administrative fee may apply for retrieval of archived results ($25)

Legal Retention Requirements:

• We retain laboratory records in accordance with CLIA requirements (minimum 2 years)
• Some state laws require longer retention periods (we comply with all applicable laws)
• Records may be maintained longer than required for quality improvement and research

Recommendation: We strongly recommend downloading and saving a PDF copy of your results when you first receive them, so you have a permanent record regardless of portal access.

Requirement for Healthcare Provider Interpretation

Why Professional Interpretation is Required:

• Metabolomic data is complex and requires specialized knowledge to interpret correctly
• Results must be considered in the context of the patient's complete medical history, symptoms, and other diagnostic findings
• The test has limitations and potential for false positive or negative results
• Treatment recommendations based on results require medical expertise
• Misinterpretation of results could lead to harmful decisions or unnecessary interventions

Qualified Healthcare Providers for Interpretation Include:

• Developmental pediatricians
• Child psychiatrists and psychologists
• Pediatric neurologists
• Physicians (MD or DO) with expertise in autism spectrum disorder
• Licensed clinical specialists in autism and developmental disorders
• Other healthcare providers with relevant training and expertise

What to Do When You Receive Results:

1. Review the results report to familiarize yourself with the findings
2. Schedule an appointment with your child's healthcare provider
3. Share the complete results report with the provider (via portal access or printed copy)
4. Discuss the findings, their potential significance, and appropriate next steps
5. Ask questions about any aspects of the report you do not understand
6. Work with your provider to develop an appropriate care plan based on the results and comprehensive evaluation

What NOT to Do:

• Do NOT start, stop, or change medications based solely on test results
• Do NOT implement major dietary changes without professional guidance
• Do NOT begin supplement regimens without discussing with a healthcare provider
• Do NOT make diagnostic conclusions based solely on the test
• Do NOT delay seeking professional evaluation based on results

CLIA-Certified Laboratory Information

The MDM™ test is performed in our CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratories that meet or exceed all federal and state quality standards:

Quality Assurance:

• Regular proficiency testing to ensure accuracy and reliability
• Daily quality control procedures for all testing equipment
• Comprehensive quality management system
• Ongoing competency assessment for laboratory personnel
• Regular inspections by regulatory agencies
• Continuous quality improvement initiatives

Questions About Your Results

If you have questions about your test results, we provide multiple support channels:

General Questions About the Report:

• Email: info@autismdiagnosticslab.com
• Phone: Contact information available on our Contact Us page
• Portal Message Center: Send a secure message through your patient portal
• Response Time: We respond to inquiries within 1 to 2 business days

Technical Questions:

Our laboratory staff can answer questions about:

• How the test was performed
• What specific metabolites were measured
• How reference ranges were established
• Technical aspects of the report

Clinical or Medical Questions:

For questions about what your results mean for your child's health, diagnosis, or treatment:

• Please consult with your healthcare provider
• We cannot provide medical advice or clinical interpretation
• Your healthcare provider can contact our laboratory director for consultation if needed

Notification of Critical or Urgent Findings

While the MDM™ test is not designed to identify emergency medical conditions, if we identify findings that may require urgent attention:

• We will make reasonable efforts to contact you or your healthcare provider by phone
• Critical findings will be prominently noted in the results report
• We will document all attempts to notify you of critical findings

Important: The MDM™ test is not an emergency diagnostic tool. If you or your child is experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Do not wait for test results.

Contact Information