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. The World Health Organization has used this method of hormone testing in worldwide comparisons of breast cancer among women living in industrialized vs. non-industrialized countries. Many studies in the scientific literature have shown a strong correlation between the levels of steroid hormones in the blood stream and the “bio-available” (free) levels of steroid hormones in saliva

Saliva testing is the most reliable way to measure free, bio-available hormone activity— those hormones actually doing their job at the cell level. Most blood tests do not measure “bio-available” hormone levels. In addition, saliva hormone testing more accurately reflects tissue uptake and response of hormones delivered (topically) through the skin, in creams, gels, or patches. Blood and urine assays significantly underestimate hormones delivered topically, often resulting in overdosing.

Is a saliva test beneficial for women taking birth control pills? What is a suggestion for these women who do not intend to stop taking the pill but show symptoms of low progesterone and testosterone?

The saliva test can be beneficial for anyone using hormones and/or contraceptives. It is not uncommon for saliva testing to identify hormonal imbalances in women using contraceptives. A suggestion for a woman using contraceptives with symptoms of low progesterone and testosterone might be to test these two hormones to identify whether an imbalance exists and to what extent. When testing progesterone it is important to test estradiol at the same time to establish a ratio. Saliva test results could then serve as a guideline to help the patient and healthcare provider adjust the dosage of hormone in the birth control pill accordingly.

Why test hormones in Saliva?

Because steroid hormones play such a vital role in maintenance of health, knowledge of an imbalance in any one or more hormones through saliva testing can help to illuminate the cause of health problems and provide a rational basis for correcting the imbalance through diet, exercise and/or appropriate hormone supplementation with physician guidance. Saliva is the most reliable way to measure free bio-available hormone activity, those hormones actually doing their job at the cell level. Most blood tests do not measure bio-available hormone levels. And, very importantly, saliva testing more accurately reflects uptake and response of topical hormone supplementation delivered through the skin in creams, gels or patches. Blood and urine assays significantly underestimate hormones delivered topically, often leading to overdosing. Saliva testing is painless – NO NEEDLES. It negates the need for blood drawing, which all too often causes stress that can alter the accuracy of test results. And saliva collection is easy. It can be done anyplace and at the optimal time of day for hormone collection. ZRT Lab’s state-of-the-art saliva testing methods and reporting can be used to identify hidden hormone imbalances that once corrected can lead to improvement of chronic health problems. Saliva testing can be used to retest and monitor hormone levels periodically in order to maintain balance, health and well-being.

My husband has symptoms of low testosterone; can saliva hormone testing help?

Saliva testing can measure your husband’s present hormone levels to identify the extent to which his testosterone is low. Our test reports indicate an expected range so that your husband can compare his levels to the normal range. Saliva testing can also identify additional androgen hormone levels (such as DHEA-s and Cortisol) that may be contributing to a low testosterone reading; this provides a more comprehensive picture.