Saliva Hormone Testing

What is the benefit of saliva hormone testing?

Testing hormones through the saliva is an easy, non-invasive way of assessing hormone levels.  For certain hormones, it has been shown to be a more accurate method of addressing hormone imbalance.

Who would benefit from hormone testing?

• Anyone who has experienced chronic, long term stress or short periods of intense stress
• Women who suffer from irregular periods
• Women who experience PMS
• Peri or post menopausal women who are concerned with an estrogen/progesterone imbalance
• Men and women who are concerned with changing hormone levels as a result of age
• Anyone experiencing the following symptoms:  weight problems, insomnia, fatigue, acne, blood sugar imbalance and decrease immune function

Which hormones can be tested?

• Estrogen – is the main female hormone and if imbalanced it can contribute to menstrual disruption in cycling women, unpleasant symptoms for menopausal women and possibly cause certain female cancers.
• Progesterone – is required to balance estrogen levels
• Testosterone – is a hormone that is essential for both men and women
• DHEA – is needed for energy production and blood sugar balance and is required to produce other hormones such as testosterone.
• Cortisol – this hormone level changes throughout the day and it is necessary for stress management, blood sugar metabolism, energy production and anti-inflammatory effects.

What is the process?

If you are doing the complete hormone assessment and you are a cycling female, then the test needs to be done at a certain time of the month.  Your naturopath can discuss with you when the right time would be.  Otherwise, the saliva collection is done any day, and 4 saliva tests are required – first thing in the morning, mid day, mid afternoon and evening.