Sunday, August 05, 2012
Our natural and
"root cause" focused services at Healthy Being Wellness Center often
require us to run a series of test to help evaluate and identify the
root cause of hormone imbalance, weight gain, metabolic syndrome, high
cortisol levels, metabolic stress, thyroid dysfunction and other
endocrine related imbalances.
We
order saliva and hormone testing through ZRT Laboratories and provide
both alternative treatments of hormonal problems as well as bioidentical
hormone replacement therapy.
These
Saliva Tests are very simple, at home tests that are mailed to the
lab. Results are provided in as few as 4-5 business days.
How does saliva testing work?
We test the following seven hormones in saliva:
- Estradiol (E2)
- Estrone (E1)
- Estriol (E3)
- Progesterone (Pg)
- Testosterone (T)
- DHEA-S
- Cortisol (C)
ZRT's at home test kits include everything you need for collection. We provide you with the kit in our center.
When your sample has been collected, return the filled tube(s) with the
completed paperwork in the pre-addressed, pre-paid packaging and mailer
bag provided with the kit. Once ZRT has received your sample, results
will be returned to you and/or your health care provider in
approximately 5 to 7 business days.
How accurate is saliva testing compared to blood and urine testing?
Saliva
testing has been used in scientific testing for decades and has been
shown to be highly accurate. It is the most reliable way to measure
free, bioavailable hormone activity â?? those hormones actually doing
their job at the cell level.
Standard blood and urine tests do not
measure bioavailable hormone levels. Numerous scientific studies have
shown a strong correlation between the levels of steroid hormones in the
blood stream and the bio-available levels of steroid hormones in
saliva. The World Health Organization has used this method of hormone
testing in worldwide comparisons of hormone levels among women living in
industrialized vs. non-industrialized countries.
Saliva
hormone testing more accurately reflects tissue uptake and response of
hormones delivered through the skin in creams, gels, or patches than
blood or urine tests.
Which saliva tests will give me a comprehensive picture of my hormone levels?
The basic panel, Female/Male Saliva Profile I,
includes estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA-S and cortisol.
This will give you an overall sense of hormonal balance or imbalance as
these five hormones work closely together.
Female/Male Saliva Profile II provides a more
comprehensive idea of hormonal interactions. Of the four tubes included
in this kit, two are used: one large tube for testing all the hormones
of the basic panel (Female/Male Saliva Profile I
discussed above), and a smaller tube for collecting a cortisol sample at
bedtime as well. This panel is recommended for those with mild to
moderate symptoms of fatigue, stress, sleep disturbance, allergies, and
food cravings.
With severe symptoms, Female/Male Saliva Profile III,
the most comprehensive of our saliva panels, is recommended. This test
analyzes complete adrenal function by testing cortisol levels throughout
the day. The Female/Male Saliva Profile III test kit
contains four tubes, one large tube for testing all the hormones of the
basic panel in the morning, and three small tubes for noon, evening, and
bedtime collections of cortisol.
Should I test estriol and/or estrone?
Since
estradiol is the more predominant and potent of the estrogens, this is
the most commonly measured estrogen in testing. We recommend testing for
estriol and/or estrone when you are supplementing with these hormones.
For Saliva Test Kit Pricing and more information about Saliva Hormone Testing- please call our office 727-502-3464.
Visit our website or email Melissa, our resident Naturopathic Doctor.