Hormone Test Kit, 4 tests

Saliva Hormone Testing Kit - 4 Tests

Saliva testing is a convenient, inexpensive, and above all, accurate means of testing steroid hormones.

Scientific studies have shown a strong correlation between steroid hormone levels in saliva and the amount of hormone in the blood that is active or "bioavailable." It is this fraction of total hormone that is free to enter the target tissues in the brain, uterus, skin, and breasts.

Saliva testing can be done anywhere anytime. Testing that relies on blood drawn in the doctor's office makes it harder to obtain samples at specific times (such as in the early morning) or multiple times during the day.

In addition, hormones in saliva are exceptionally stable and can be stored at room temperature for up to a week without affecting the accuracy of the result. This offers maximum flexibility in sample collection and shipment.

Hormones you can choose to test from in saliva include:

• Estradiol (E2)
• Estrone (E1)
• Estriol (E3)
• Progesterone (Pg)
• Testosterone (T)
• DHEA-S (Ds)
• Cortisol (C)

This kit includes 4 prepaid tests, but you can test as many hormones as you like. Each additional hormone costs $35; you just have to include a check to ZRT Labs with your sample for the additional hormone(s). For example, you can order the Female/Male Saliva Profile I (E2, Pg, T, DS, & C), which is 5 hormones, and include a check for $35 with your sample. You could also choose to test E2, Pg, T, DS, plus a diurnal Cortisol (Female/Male Saliva Profile II), and include a check for $70 with your sample.

Estrogens (estrone, estradiol and estriol), progesterone, testosterone, DHEA-S and cortisol are routinely measured in saliva at ZRT. Why saliva? Steroid hormones in the bloodstream are mostly (95-99%) bound to carrier proteins (hormone-binding globulins, albumin), and in this form they are unavailable to target tissues. Only the unbound fraction freely diffuses into tissues, including the salivary gland. Hormone levels in saliva therefore represent the quantity of the hormone that is currently available to target tissues and actively exerting specific effects on the body. Because of this, salivary hormone levels often relate to specific symptoms of hormone excesses or deficiencies.

Research at ZRT has demonstrated clear correlations between salivary hormone levels and reported symptoms. The rationale for and clinical utility of saliva testing is well documented. The very small concentrations of salivary hormones (only 1– 5% of the total hormone levels that include protein-bound hormone found in serum) necessitate extremely sensitive assay methods. This is a particular issue for estrogens and testosterone, which are present in very minute quantities in saliva, especially in older populations such as postmenopausal women. ZRT is unique as the only commercial laboratory using extracted saliva testing for estrogens and testosterone.

Extraction removes contaminants that interfere with the assay and concentrates the sample, signifi cantly improving assay sensitivity compared to the “direct” assay methods available commercially. In fact, poor correlations between serum tests and non-extraction salivary estradiol assays have unfortunately led to some skepticism about saliva testing. Also, because of the extremely sensitive assays, it is important to avoid blood contamination of saliva as a result of oral injury, therefore toothbrushing must be avoided before collecting saliva for testing. Saliva testing may also not be appropriate for sublingual hormone users unless samples are obtained at least 36 hours after the last dose. Blood spot testing is a preferred option for these patients. Conversely, when some hormones, notably progesterone, are administered topically, saliva levels can rise higher than serum levels. This is because progesterone is carried on the surface of red blood cells to target tissues including the salivary glands, where there is rapid uptake and release of the hormone into tissues and saliva, leaving very little hormone in the venous blood returning from the tissues.

Tissue levels of progesterone have been found to be very high after topical progesterone use19-21, and a biological response can be demonstrated, e.g., the reduction of endometrial cell

Advantages

• Saliva testing, unlike serum tests, measures the bioavailable (“free”) levels of steroid hormones, correlating with symptomatology and potential deficiency
• Samples are collected by the patient at home, allowing convenient timing of collection especially for cortisol, which must be measured at specifi c times of the day or night
• Convenience of collection allows frequent sampling, e.g., during a menstrual cycle to determine fertility problems
• Hormone levels can be assessed during topical hormone supplementation
• Saliva collection avoids the stress of a blood draw, which can affect levels of cortisol
• Hormones are stable in saliva at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, allowing for worldwide shipment and convenient mailing of samples for testing
• Saliva testing is less expensive than conventional serum testing proliferation caused by estrogen therapy.

  Serum testing for progesterone therefore grossly underestimates the amount of progesterone that is being delivered to tissues when progesterone is applied topically to the skin.

  DHEA-S, the sulfated storage form of DHEA, is measured rather than DHEA because its levels are more stable (DHEA has a much shorter half life in blood) and at ZRT it has been found to correlate very well with reported clinical symptoms. However, as a conjugated hormone that does not diffuse into saliva as rapidly as the unconjugated hormones measured in ZRT’s other hormone assays, its passage into saliva is flow rate dependent and therefore fl ow stimulants such as gum chewing are not advised prior to saliva collection.

  Research at ZRT shows good correlations between salivary hormone levels and dosages of hormones given exogenously. Saliva testing is therefore a good option for monitoring hormone therapy and adjusting dosages if necessary.

  Saliva testing can help providers:

  • Identify hormone imbalances prior to the appearance of symptoms or disease
  • Identify specific hormone imbalances associated with symptoms
  • Establish hormone baselines prior to surgery or beginning therapy
  • Monitor hormone levels while supplementing, allowing for individualized hormone dosing
  • Track patient symptoms and hormone levels using ZRT’s comparative history reports provided with follow-up testing