Saliva Testing For Hormones

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What is Salivary Testing for Hormones? Why do I prefer it over blood testing? What hormones can be measured with Saliva Testing?

Salivary Testing for Hormones

Saliva Testing is easy. You collect extra saliva in your mouth and let it fall into a small collection vial. 

A test comes with a mailing box and shipping label.

Generally, there are only 2 vials needed for male and female hormones. Cortisol uses four.

Salivary Testing vs. Blood Testing

Saliva measures FREE hormone amounts. Most blood tests measure TOTAL hormone amounts which include both Free and Bound hormones. 

A bound hormone is attached to something – perhaps another hormone or to a toxin such as mercury (common with low thyroid disorders). Or it may already have been used and is not active anymore.

If it is bound, it is unavailable and not currently useful.  Measuring hormones in the blood makes no distinction between free and bound hormones. You don’t know the amount of available, currently useful hormones.

There are two hormones that test correctly by blood IF the test is ordered correctly. In Client labs I see, the correct labs are ordered about 50% of the time. Thyroid values for T4 and T3 can be ordered as FREE T4 and FREE T3. Many doctors only test Total T4 and T3. Again, you don’t know the amount of available hormone.

Testosterone can be ordered using both Total and Free Testosterone. Total by itself is not very helpful.

For two of my blog posts and podcasts on Adrenal Testing and  Thyroid Testing: see this, and this.

Free Hormones You Cannot Test by Blood

• Cortisol
• E1 – Estrone
• E2 – Estradiol
• E3 – Estriol
• Progesterone
• DHEA

Hormones You Can Test by Saliva

1. All three Estrogens
2. Cortisol over the day
3. Progesterone
4. DHEA
5. Testosterone and DHT
6. FSH and LH

Cortisol Values in One Day

Cortisol is the main adrenal hormone governing stamina, muscle, water retention, blood pressure, energy and electrolytes. In salivary testing, four samples over one day are taken to observe cortisol at different times of day. (It should be lowest at night, and highest on arising).  

As a natural health clinician since 1985, I have seen many of these tests – the majority show total free cortisol less than or marginally optimal – a true reflection of the exhausting pace of modern life.

I rarely see tests with overall HIGH cortisol even though that is what we hear the most about.

Here is a 5 item Cortisol and DHEA test plus an hour to review, at an excellent discounted rate. 

Progesterone Testing – Key to Women’s Health

Progesterone is often downplayed in women’s health. This can lead to serious health consequences.

Progesterone is key for:

• Vaginal Health
• UTI’s
• Sexual comfort
• Regulation of periods
• Endometriosis
• Fertility and Miscarriage
• Bones
• Anxiety

The dominant medical philosophy for women is “Estrogen + Testosterone, no Progesterone needed”. This has been studied and clarified for 40 years but women still face this at most doctor appointments, even with expensive Bio-Identical Hormone providers. 

I find most women need only low doses of vaginal or oral (real) Progesterone (not Progestin as in BC Pills), and perhaps a small amount of E3 – Estriol. These are available OTC affordably. I have used them in my Clinic for many years. 

Here’s info from Dr. Christiane Northrup on Bioidentical Hormones. 

Bioidentical Estrogens can help:

• Hot flashes
• Sleep disturbance at menopause
• Bones
• Hair loss

Saliva Testing for Men

Saliva tests give a thorough breakdown of ALL the testosterone metabolites, especially the ones that can cause prostate problems. This is a far superior test to simple PSA testing.

Men need to test E2 Estrogen as well as it is often high and causing prostate issues.

Free Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and Androstenedione are all valuable. Women can benefit from these too. DHT for example is often associated with hair loss – particularly “male pattern” hair loss.

Additional Saliva Tests

1. Gluten, Dairy and Egg Antibodies
2. Insulin before and after food to test Insulin Resistance
3. H. Pylori stomach bacteria associated with ulcers and acid-blockers

Helpful Saliva Testing Tips 

To optimize Saliva Testing for hormones, do not take hormones for 2 days prior to testing. Do not exercise that day or test on an unusually stressful day.

If you are a female with monthly cycles, test on Day 21 when Progesterone should be at its peak.

I offer Saliva Testing for Cortisol and other Hormones for local and distance clients. It’s the most frequent lab I recommend. Here’s info on local or Virtual Consults with me. This offers a 15 item Saliva Test and 90 minute review.