Saliva Lab Testing

Saliva Lab Testing for Hormone Levels
Saliva testing for hormones is conducted with a simple saliva sample. The sample can be collected in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Genemedics Health Institute hormone saliva test measures steroid hormones (sex hormones and adrenal hormones) including:

• Estradiol: Estradiol is the strongest form of the three forms of estrogen (estradiol, estriol, and estrone). Estrogen dominance or high estrogen levels increase the risk of breast and endometrial cancer. Low estrogen levels are linked to a variety of symptoms, including heart disease, osteoporosis, hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal atrophy, and skin dryness and wrinkles. Although estrogen is the main sex hormone in women, balanced estrogen levels are just as important in men. In men, low estrogen levels are associated with osteoporosis, heart disease and cognitive decline. In men, high estrogen levels are associated with heart disease, water retention, gynecomastia, abdominal fat gain, and acne. Balanced estrogen levels for both men and women result in improved quality of life and are essential for optimal health and wellness.

• Progesterone: Progesterone is an important female hormone that balances the effects of estrogen. Adequate progesterone levels are needed to protect against sex-hormone related cancers, including breast and prostate cancer, along with other disease such as osteoporosis. Low progesterone is linked to a variety of symptoms, such as depression, irritability, anxiety, and insomnia. Although progesterone is the main sex hormone in women, balanced progesterone levels are just as important in men. Balanced progesterone levels for both men and women results in improved quality of life and are essential for optimal health and wellness.

• Testosterone: Important for both men and women, low testosterone levels are linked to a variety of symptoms, including loss of libido (sex drive), low energy levels, loss of muscle mass and strength, and fat gain. Low testosterone levels are also associated with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, heart disease and osteoporosis. A good quality of life and optimal health is dependent on having optimal testosterone levels in both men and women.

• DHEA-S: DHEA levels decline dramatically as you age. This hormone is a precursor hormone, which is used to create a variety of other sex hormones throughout the body. Benefits of optimal DHEA levels include improved energy, sex drive and mood, along with better sleep, immune system function and stress management. Most men and women above the age of 30 do not have optimal DHEA levels. This simple saliva test along with the proper dosage of DHEA supplementation to optimize DHEA levels will get you on your way to better health and quality of life.

• Cortisol: In today’s high-stress, fast-paced society, many people have cortisol imbalance. High stress levels initially cause high cortisol levels, which cause many unpleasant symptoms and increase the risk of health problems. High stress levels over long periods of time results in low cortisol levels due to adrenal fatigue. Cortisol imbalance (either high or low cortisol levels) can cause fatigue, abdominal fat gain, foggy thinking, poor memory and concentration, difficulty sleeping, osteoporosis, and heart disease. Cortisol imbalance also causes other hormone imbalances such as low thyroid. The 4-point saliva test measures cortisol levels at four points throughout the day (usually 8 am, 12 pm, 4 pm and 11 pm). Cortisol balance is essential to have a good quality of life while achieving optimal health and wellness. This saliva test is your first step to cortisol balance.

Why Choose Saliva for Hormone Testing?

Hormones can be tested through blood, saliva, or urine. Of these three testing methods, hormone testing through saliva is the best for many reasons. The advantages of saliva hormone testing compared to blood draws are as follows:

• Saliva hormone testing represents the fraction of hormones that have their beneficial effects on the body (known as unbound or active hormones). Serum hormone testing measures both the active hormone and bound (inactive) hormone, which is not an accurate reflection of hormones that are available for the body to use.
  • Most steroid hormones (95-99%) are bound to proteins called SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) and albumin. When a hormone is bound to one of these proteins, it is not available for the body to use. It is only the unbound hormones (1-5% of the total hormones) that can enter tissues and have their beneficial effects on the body.
  • The hormones measured in the saliva represent the unbound, or bioavailable hormones, because the saliva glands are one of the tissues that only unbound hormones can enter. Hormone testing through blood measure both bound (unavailable) and unbound (free or bioavailable hormones), which is not an accurate representation of the hormone levels that have their beneficial effects on the body.
• Hormone saliva testing is more accurate at measuring hormone levels when the patient is using hormones administered through the skin (such as a topical cream, patch or gel).
  • Hormones quickly enter tissues when applied topically. Hormones in tissues are active and should be a part of the total hormone levels measured. Saliva testing is able to measure the hormones in tissues; however, serum (blood) testing does not accurately measure hormones in tissues.
• Hormone testing using saliva correlates more with symptoms of male hormone imbalance and female hormone imbalance than serum testing.
• With saliva testing for hormones, samples can be collected in the comfort of the patient’s own home.
• Hormone testing through saliva can be collected at the patient’s convenience. This is especially useful for the 4-point cortisol test, which requires samples at four different times throughout the day (i.e. 8 am, 12 pm, 4 pm and 11 pm).
• Blood draws can cause stress and anxiety, which can negatively affect hormone levels and lead to false representation of true hormone levels. Hormone testing using saliva samples avoids this issue because the samples are conveniently collected in the comfort of the patient’s home.
• Saliva samples are more stable for a longer period of time.
  • Hormones are stable in saliva for up to 2 weeks at room temperature.
• Saliva testing is less expensive than traditional blood testing.

What Else Do You Need to Know before Collecting Your Saliva Sample?

• Avoid brushing your teeth prior to collecting your saliva sample
  • Oral injury from brushing your teeth can cause small blood particles to enter the saliva, which can result in false test results.
• Do not chew gum prior to saliva collection.
• If you are using sublingual hormones, it is recommended that you collect your saliva sample at least 36 hour after the last dose.

Why Choose Genemedics Health Institute for Your Hormone Saliva Testing?

Genemedics Health Institute medical doctors are the national leaders in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. With your saliva test kit results and symptoms, you will receive analysis from our specialist and treatment recommendations from one of our expert medical doctors. Your medical doctor will also recommend a customized lifestyle program for hormone balance, which will consist of a nutrition plan, pharmaceutical grade supplement regimen, and a stress management program. Genemedics Health Institute is the only company that has access to Genemedics Nutrition products, which are the high-quality, pharmaceutical grade supplements available. If bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is necessary, your saliva test kit results are already with the best medical doctors specializing in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. When it comes to your health, only trust the best!