Frequently Asked Questions

MX3 Diagnostics

MX3 Diagnostics is passionate about making it easier for all people to measure and mange their health.

• Who is MX3?

  MX3 Diagnostics is a team of engineers, medical practitioners, researchers and athletes based in Austin, Texas; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Melbourne, Australia. Our team has extensive expertise in electrochemistry, biomedicine, microfluidics, product engineering and design, signal processing, machine learning and clinical medicine.

• Why Hydration?

  Optimal hydration is incredibly important to athletic performance, but also for maximising the health and wellbeing of all people. We’re actively researching new applications for the MX3 Hydration Testing System in healthcare, industry, military and sport applications.

• What’s next?

  The MX3 LAB is a diverse and powerful analysis device. Saliva is a rich source of biomarkers including electrolytes, metabolites, hormones and nucleic acids. Stay posted for new MX3 test-strips compatible with the MX3 LAB for these biomarkers.

SOSM Measurements

Salivary osmolarity (SOSM) reflects the concentration of electrolytes and other solutes in saliva. SOSM has been identified as a non-invasive measure for monitoring of hydration status. Multiple studies have shown that increases in SOSM during exercise are a more accurate measure of active dehydration compared to urine testing.

• What does a SOSM result mean?

  In basic terms, SOSM values increase as dehydration increases, and they decrease as hydration status improves (so higher number = more dehydrated). Most athletes will exhibit a gradual increase in SOSM as they exercise. The MX3 Hydration Testing System classifies hydration status into four possible categories: hydrated, mildly dehydrated, moderately dehydrated and severely dehydrated, based on the SOSM reading and the user's optimal hydration zone.

• What is an Optimal Hydration Zone?

  The optimal hydration zone (OHZ) is a personalized SOSM target range that reflects an athlete's fully hydrated state. The OHZ is determined by conducting a series of baseline measurements in a fully hydrated state achieved with a multi-day hydration protocol involving consistent fluid intake. The OHZ is used by the MX3 App to determine an athlete's specific SOSM hydration status thresholds and provide a target range for rehydrating after exercise.

• Will food or drink mess with an SOSM Measurements?

  Yes, eating or drinking immediately before taking a measurement can impact a SOSM score. We recommend an athlete wait at least 5 minutes after eating or drinking before taking a measurement. If there is substantial food debris within an athlete's mouth, we recommend rinsing with water and then waiting 5 minutes.

• Is my measurement data saved?

  Measurements taken on the LAB while paired with the MX3 App are automatically saved for later analysis in the MX3 App and portal. If you take an SOSM measurement with the LAB but are not connected via Bluetooth to a mobile device, then the hydration score will not be stored.  

• Can I export my SOSM measurement data to use in another program?

  Yes. The measurement data (list of hydration scores) can be exported from the MX3 Portal for external analysis or for logging on another athlete management platform.

• What does my hydration score mean?

  

The MX3 LAB

The MX3 LAB is a powerful handheld device capable of laboratory-grade analysis. Simply insert a test strip, take a small saliva sample and get your actionable results in seconds. 

• Do I need to calibrate the MX3 LAB?

  No! The MX3 LAB is automatically calibrated by the MX3 Hydration Test Strip and the MX3 App. No calibration strips or solutions are needed.

• Do I need a phone or tablet with me to use the MX3 LAB?

  No! We recommend you use the MX3 LAB paired with the MX3 App, as it allows you track and analyze past measurements. However, the MX3 LAB may also be used independently, with results displayed directly on the MX3 LAB. However, once the test strip has been removed there is no way of viewing past results, so the result should be recorded prior to discarding the test strip. 

• How do I charge the MX3 LAB?

  The MX3 Lab can be charged with any standard USB-C charging cable. The MX3 LAB will typically charge fully in less than 3 hours when connected to a computer USB port or USB power adapter.

The MX3 Hydration Test Strip

The MX3 Hydration Test Strip is a single-use electrochemical biosensor that samples saliva to determine the salivary osmolarity (SOSM) and hydration status of the user.

• Do MX3 Hydration Test Strips have a use-by date?

  The new improved MX3 Hydration Test Strips (HYDB-xxx-xxx) should be used within 30 months of manufacturing. After this date, test strips will still function, but may have reduced accuracy, precision and flow time.

  ** 24 months for old version HYDA-xxx-xxx test strips

• Are MX3 Hydration Test strips safe?

  Yes. MX3 test strips are treated with high-dose gamma irradiation following packaging to ensure sterility. Independent laboratory testing has shown that MX3 test strips are non-toxic following cellular toxicity testing.