Saliva Hormone Testing

Description

Five saliva samples are used to assess the following:

• Cortisol to evaluate the stress response
• Insulin to investigate blood sugar control and insulin resistance
• DHEA/DHEA-S to determine how other hormones may be affected by stress
• Secretory IgA to evaluate the toll of stress on immunity
• 17-OH progesterone to determine underlying causes of abnormal cortisol levels
• Gluten antibodies to identify immune response to gluten

Easy and Gentle Sample Collection

At our office, we believe that testing should be as gentle and easy as possible. That’s why we use noninvasive (no poking or needles!) ways to collect samples. Most of our tests use saliva or stool (poop). These types of tests are simple and can be done right at home. This helps clients avoid the stress and fear that can come with blood tests. After collecting the sample, clients just mail it to the lab. Our office will get the results quickly and easily.

If a substance can be found in saliva, we believe there’s no need to take blood. Blood tests can be more expensive, take longer, and may have more risks. That’s why we recommend saliva or stool testing first whenever possible.

Why These Tests Matter

Just because we can test something doesn’t mean it helps your health. We only offer tests that are trustworthy and can actually help our office support your healing. For example, our Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) test was the first of its kind to check for cortisol in saliva. Today, saliva is known as one of the best ways to check for active hormone levels in the body. We also use advanced stool tests to look for things like:

• Bacteria and yeast
• Parasites
• Viruses
• Inflammation

These test results can help your provider figure out why you’re not feeling your best.

We Aim for Accuracy

We keep improving our tests by using the best tools and methods. Our goal is to give you the most reliable results so you and your provider can take the right steps for your health.

Understanding Hormones Over Time

Hormones go up and down during the day and month. With saliva testing, we can take samples at different times to see the full picture of what’s going on. For example, we may want to compare a client’s hormone levels before and after starting a treatment plan.
Since clients collect their own samples, it’s super convenient—no trips to the lab or painful blood draws!

Benefits of Saliva Testing

Saliva testing shows free, active hormone levels—these are the hormones your body is actually using. When you do a blood test, the hormones are usually “bound” and not active. That means doctors have to guess how much is really working in your body. Saliva testing removes that guesswork. It gives a clearer picture of your hormone health, especially at the cellular level, where your body really uses those hormones.

Looking at Hormones Over Time (Chronobiology)

To really understand how hormones affect you, we have to look at them over time—not just at one single moment. This is called chronobiology. It’s the science of how your body changes during the day, the month, or even the seasons. Examples include:

• Your sleep and wake cycle
• A woman’s monthly cycle
• Mood shifts through the seasons

Using saliva, we can collect samples during different times of the day or month to learn how your hormones are working. This kind of testing is very helpful when it comes to hormone health, and it’s something blood tests usually don’t show as clearly.

How the Test Works

Our lab uses a method called Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA to check what’s in your saliva. Here’s how it works:

1. 1A tiny bit of your saliva is mixed with a special solution.
2. If a hormone or substance is present, the solution changes color.
3. This tells the lab exactly what’s going on in your body.

The results can show either a “yes or no” answer or give an exact number.

Saliva testing with ELISA is:

• Reliable
• Widely accepted
• More affordable than many blood tests
• A great way to track your hormones over time

Stool Testing

Many basic stool tests only look for one or two things. But our Gastrointestinal Health Panels are much more thorough. They check for:

• Harmful bugs or imbalances in your gut
• Parasites
• Signs of inflammation
• Causes of bloating, tummy pain, or irregular bowel movements

We will use this information to figure out what might be causing your symptoms and help you get back on track.

Other Sample Types We Use

• Urine: We use urine to measure certain bone health markers.
• Mucosal swab: This is a gentle swab used to check for yeast, either as part of a special Yeast Panel or a custom test panel.

Questions?
Contact our office today by calling 337-332-2705.