Female Hormone Testing – Saliva

Female hormones impact many aspects of a woman’s life…

They change daily in response to stresses, organ function and body chemistry. Health symptoms of hormonal imbalance range from mood changes & weight gain to hypoglycemia & blood pressure changes. Given the nature of hormones a total assessment of hormonal health is to evaluate these changes over the whole month.  Often the overall level of a  hormone is sufficient when measured on day 21 of the menses cycle ( standard blood testing or spot saliva checking) , yet unbalanced at a particular time of month when the whole month is reviewed for cycling women.  Evaluation of the ratio of hormones such as estrogen to progesterone is important also for any estrogen dominant related health concern such as:  weight gain, fibrocystic breasts, PMS, breast cancer &  fertility.

Changes through the decades require attention to different areas of a woman’s health. Prevention and awareness are essential to optimal health.

At Revivelife™ Lab we use saliva hormone testing to get the most comprehensive spot check of hormones or monthly mapping information and blood testing as a second  option (days 7, 14, 21, 28) for those in which the saliva test is not feasible.

Unsure which Set is right for you?  Call 613-829-7100 to set up your complimentary test assessment visit.

Highlight: Test for saliva hormones spot check or monthly map.  The monthly map tests for Progesterone X11, Estradiol X11, Testosterone, DHEA & DHEA-S, LH X5, FSH X5.

Functional Assessment of: Female Hormones

Indicated For Women With A : Regular cycle, irregular cycle or peri-menopausal cycle who wish to assess if hormones are playing a role in their health symptoms including : weight gain, cravings, energy & vitality.

(It is recommended to have a new patient appointment or a consult to integrate your results for your optimal health plan)

 The advantages of saliva hormone testing is that it measures “free” hormones (2-5% of the hormones in your body), which are the hormones that are available to go to work for you – stimulating receptor cells and carrying out the tasks they are designed to perform. Generally samples are taken either on a given day or throughout the month to give you an overview of the variations of hormones over time.  This gives you a monthly map to work with and prescribe accordingly. The disadvantages are that saliva samples may be more difficult to obtain, take longer to gather for the monthly mapping, the test is more costly and test results may be hindered in elderly patients with limited salivary output. Saliva testing can yield higher than physiological levels when using exogenous hormone replacement therapy; this can give a false impression of overdosing. Single point saliva tests also have the disadvantage of being a ‘snapshot’ look at hormones that ebb and flow throughout at 24-hour period.

Step 1: Preparation

  • Wash hands and rinse mouth with water to remove food residue. After rinsing mouth, wait at least 10 minutes before collecting saliva to avoid sample dilution.
  • Wash face before bedtime the night before collecting saliva, and do not apply lotions or creams that night or next morning (some may contain interfering substances). Use of routine cosmetics is permitted.
  • Do not brush, floss teeth or have dental work done 30 minutes prior to collecting saliva. Slight bleeding from these may alter test results.
  • The timing of the first morning collection is critical; it must be collected thirty minutes after awakening. Begin timing upon awakening even if you remain in bed.
  • Avoid food one hour prior to saliva collection times. Food particles will contaminate the sample.

Step 2: Collection

  • WOMAN WITH MENSTRUAL CYCLES: Collect saliva during one day of the mid-luteal phase (ideally day 21 or between day 19-23 of a 28 day cycle) counting the first day of your period as day
  • POST MENOPAUSAL WOMEN OR WOMEN WHO HAVE HAD A HYSTERECTOMY: Collect saliva any day of the month. Call your healthcare provider with any additional questions pertaining to timing of collection.
  • WOMEN  TAKING HORMONE REPLACEMENT OR BIRTH CONTROL (REGARDLESS OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE):
    • Topical hormones (cream): DO NOT APPLY ANY TOPICAL HORMONES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY OF SALIVA COLLECTION. This will contaminate your sample and compromise your tests results. Your last dose prior to saliva collection should be applied within a window of 12-24 hours before collecting your first saliva sample.
    • Sublingual hormones or troches (dissolved under tongue): DO NOT USE ANY SUBLINGUAL HORMONES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY OF SALIVA COLLECTION. This will contaminate your sample and compromise your test results. Your last dose prior to saliva collection should be taken within a window of 24-36 hours before collecting your first saliva sample, followed by two 8 oz. galsses of water.
    • Oral hormones (pills): Should be used as prescribed on the day of collection.
    • Injections, subcutaneous pellets and transdermal patches: The recommended dosage interval is mid regimen.
    • Cortisol supplementation: CONSULT WITH YOUR PROVIDER for instruction if you are taking cortisol supplementaion for adrenal support. When testing cortisol (for baseline adrenal function), STOP USING CORTISOL CONTAINING PRODUCTS 5 DAYS PRIOR TO SALIVA COLLECTION. (Cortisol containing products include OTC hydrocortisone creams, etc.)
    • IUD does not change usual testing guidelines.

Step 3 Mailing

Make sure ALL information is entered onto test requisition form, specimen bag, and sign the bottom of form (Missing information may cause a delay in testing and/or interpretation).

  • All of the requisition form.
  • Patient name, address, date of birth, sex, time of sample collection, menstrual history (women only).
  • Test requested is checked by healthcare practitioner.
  • Patient signature on the requisition form.
  • Patient height and weight.
  • Symptom questionnaire.
  • Hormone therapy (including date and time of last dosage).
  • Make sure tubes are tightly SNAPPED closed and put into zip-top bag.
  • Make sure completed test requisition form is in box with specimens.
  • Seal box with enclosed sticker. Extra tape is not necessary.
  • It is preferred (not required) that the sealed specimen kit be placed in a freezer until able to mail. Please mail as soon as possible. Kit must be received by the lab within 14 days of collection.
  • Send kit the very next business day via appropriate shipping method.