Previously, blood tests were the main method of checking hormone levels. But right now, saliva hormone testing has become popular because it’s not invasive and easy to do. This process requires taking samples of saliva at different moments during the daytime for accurate measurement of hormones.
Regular hormone tests can help people with symptoms that suggest hormonal imbalance, like fatigue without a clear reason, weight changes, unstable mood swings, irregular menstrual periods, or reduced desire for sex. Tests like these can reveal health problems at early stages to prevent the development of serious disorders.
If to compare saliva hormone testing with other testing techniques, people get a less intrusive, more precise, and more convenient way of monitoring their hormone balance. A deep understanding of hormonal functions and changes received after saliva hormone testing at home or in a clinic can give a chance for a more effective treatment plan.
Hormones are very important to make your body function properly – from metabolism and growth to mood and reproductive functions. Because of this, saliva hormone tests (just like blood testing of hormones) can become a crucial resource for healthcare providers. Let’s take a closer look at the importance of saliva tests for hormone levels for better healthcare management.
What is Saliva Testing of Hormone Balance?
Saliva hormone tests (also known as salivaomics in the medical field) are an advanced way to check hormone levels through saliva samples to evaluate the hormonal state and diagnose health issues. Unlike blood samples, saliva can give a better picture of steroid hormones like cortisol, and genetic markers such as RNA, proteins, enzymes, and antibodies. Medics prefer choosing this testing method due to its non-invasiveness when compared to the use of needles for drawing blood from patients’ veins.
A spit test for hormones can deliver such benefits as:
- Widespread user cases
- Ease of collecting saliva samples
- Improved safety of sample integrity
- Affordability
- Good saliva hormone testing accuracy
The Widespread Uses of Saliva Hormone Tests
Testing hormones through saliva samples is very important for identifying the signs of Cushing’s disease, anovulation, HIV, cancer, parasites, and hypogonadism. Medics also use this method when they need to check hormone levels to diagnose the early symptoms of adrenal fatigue, menopause, thyroid disorders, fertility issues, etc.
For example, NASA medics prefer such testing methods to evaluate circadian rhythm changes, pediatricians choose these tests for little children, and healthcare specialists recommend a cortisol saliva test for patients with certain chronic disorders.
How Does Saliva Hormone Testing Work?
This method of hormone testing means gathering saliva in small and clean tube-like containers. It concentrates on analyzing bioavailable hormones – not attached to proteins and interacting with target tissues – in contrast with bound hormones tested only in blood. Testing hormones in saliva is very useful for measuring different hormones such as cortisol, estrogens, progesterone, and androgens.
The Step-by-Step Process of Saliva Testing of Hormone Levels:
Sample Collection
The starting point is to get a saliva sample. Often, this occurs during the morning time to catch maximum hormone levels. The collection involves spitting into a plastic tube that comes in any premium saliva hormone test kit, like in the ZRT Laboratory products.
Sample Shipment
After the saliva is collected, it gets sealed and sent to a lab for analysis. Inside this laboratory, they handle the sample with great care to maintain its integrity, keep it from contamination, and make it suitable for precise testing.
Laboratory Analysis
In the laboratory, a process of sample extraction occurs. This stage involves separating hormones from the rest of the components in saliva to avoid background contamination. It is crucial for the precise measurement of low-concentration hormones such as estradiol.
Hormone Level Calculation
The lab specialists do the measurements of extracted hormones through methods like immunoassays or mass spectrometry.
Results Interpretation
The last part is the interpretation of the results by medics. The outcomes show a thorough picture of hormone amounts and changes in these levels that provide an important understanding of one’s hormonal condition.
What Hormones Can a Hormone Spit Test Analyze?
- Cortisol: A steroid hormone by the adrenal gland. It is important for stress response, immune function, and metabolism. Checking cortisol levels can assist in identifying adrenal imbalances such as Cushing’s disease or Addison’s disease;
- Estrogens (Estradiol, Estrone, and Estriol): These female hormones play important roles in reproductive health and bone strength, among other things. Checking estrogens through a female hormone saliva test can monitor the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy or during menopause;
- Progesterone: This hormone is crucial in controlling the menstrual cycle and helping to keep a pregnancy. Testing for progesterone levels can help evaluate fertility and menstrual periods;
- Androgens (DHEA, Testosterone, and 5a-dihydrotestosterone): These male hormones play a crucial role in maintaining muscle mass, bone strength, and sexual functions. Regular checking for androgens helps to find problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or andropause;
Decoding Saliva Hormone Tests
If you want to know, what does a saliva hormone test show for a professional diagnosis – check the following table:
| Hormone | Function/Relevance | Conditions Diagnosed |
| Cortisol | Stress, circadian rhythm | Cushing’s disease, adrenal insufficiency |
| Estrogen | Reproductive health, bone density | Menopause, osteoporosis, fertility issues |
| Testosterone | Muscle mass, sex drive, mood regulation | Hypogonadism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) |
| DHEA | Immune function, body composition | Aging, adrenal health |
| Progesterone | Menstrual cycle, pregnancy | Infertility, menstrual irregularities |
According to the National Center of Biotechnology Information, only regular saliva hormone testing can give accurate numbers about different hormone levels, sometimes even more precisely than blood tests. So, make sure to test your hormone balance via saliva regularly to prevent the development of serious disorders.
Benefits of Saliva Hormone Testing
- Non-invasive
- Easy sample collection
- Enhanced privacy and convenience of at-home testing kits
- Accurate monitoring of biologically active hormones
- Budget-friendly method
- Ideal for long-term monitoring and treatment adjustment
Saliva hormone testing is a game-changing method for handling hormonal health. Its non-intrusive technique, along with the comfort and privacy of at-home kits, makes it appealing to numerous people.
Critics and Limitations of Saliva Hormone Tests
Despite numerous advantages, there are still some obstacles preventing saliva hormone testing from becoming the standard method in medical settings. Many studies have shown that saliva hormone testing is specifically effective in measuring cortisol — a stress hormone — as well as various other key hormones like estrogens, progesterone, androgens (e.g., testosterone), and melatonin. However, they tend to be less effective for testing any other hormones.
In terms of regulation, there has been considerable progress towards promoting saliva diagnostics. The U.S. National Institute of Health and the Public Health Service have given significant funding to enhance methodologies and standardize saliva tests. This financial support highlights the increasing recognition of the possible advantages of using saliva samples as an effective diagnostic tool due to their affordability and non-invasiveness. However, some states still prefer blood hormone tests for standard checkups at governmental medical facilities.
Saliva vs Blood Hormone Testing
Typically, medics use these two methods to monitor hormone levels. Knowing the differences in accuracy or reliability between these two methods, as well as recognizing circumstances where one testing method may be more advantageous over another, is important for healthcare providers and patients.
Types of Hormones
Saliva testing can measure unattached, biologically active hormones. Saliva tests are not invasive and can be done repeatedly over time to show the hormonal rhythms in real-time.
Blood tests reveal the hormones in your blood serum, including both bound and free hormones. Although considered more precise and diverse than saliva tests, blood tests still might not show the real bioavailable hormones that actively affect body functions all the time. Static blood measurements might not capture hormone fluctuations that can be critical for the diagnosis or therapy of certain disorders.
User Cases
Medics prefer using saliva tests to monitor hormonal rhythms that vary during the day, like cortisol. Saliva testing is better because it can track these changes better than a single blood sample. It’s more practical to use saliva testing at almost any place. This is especially useful for people who are afraid of needles or have difficulty reaching healthcare centers.
On the other hand, blood tests are still the main tool to diagnose many health conditions that saliva tests can’t reveal. Blood tests are essential when you need exact measurements of the total hormone levels, for example, to check thyroid disorders or reproductive functions.
Comparing Saliva and Blood Hormone Tests
Check the comparative table of key differences between saliva tests and blood tests for hormones in the human body:
| Criteria | Saliva Hormone Tests | Blood Hormone Tests |
| Accuracy | Provide an accurate representation of active hormone levels | Considered highly accurate for common diagnostic use |
| Reliability | Mostly effective for tracking hormonal rhythms and fluctuations | Seen as the “gold” standard in many diagnostic tests |
| Sample Collection | Non-invasive, can be done at home without professional assistance | Invasive, usually requires venipuncture by a healthcare professional |
| Patient Comfort | Preferred by patients who are needle-shy or require frequent monitoring | Less comfortable due to the need for a blood draw, potentially stressful for people with needle phobia |
| Convenience | High — the samples can be collected at multiple times throughout the day | Moderate — typically requires a visit to a healthcare facility |
| Ideal Usage | Best for hormones that show diurnal variation, like cortisol useful in therapeutic monitoring and chronic condition management. | Preferred for acute diagnostics and when comprehensive hormone profiling is needed at a single time point. |
| Cost | Saliva hormone testing cost is more budget-friendly due to the non-invasive collection | Often more expensive due to the involvement of clinical facilities and professional services |
Saliva and blood hormone tests are both important for understanding a person’s hormonal health. Saliva tests are particularly good at tracking fast changes in hormones, and they are easy to use, while blood tests give detailed information about diverse hormones. Most diagnostic specialists use both methods to reveal the full picture of hormonal balance.
How to Choose a Saliva Hormone Test?
Choosing the correct cortisol or adrenal saliva test kit is very important to evaluate your hormonal health correctly at home. The process of choosing a saliva hormone test might appear complex at first glance. There are many options available on the market, all claiming to be accurate and reliable in assessing your hormonal balance.
However, by keeping the following key factors in mind during the selection process – along with our recommendations for top products – you can make an informed choice that suits both your needs and those outlined by professional guidelines.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Saliva Hormone Test Kit
FDA Approval
Even though not all saliva hormone test kits have FDA approval, choosing one that has gone through FDA review might give you more confidence about its precision and reliability. This endorsement means the product fulfills certain U.S. safety standards.
Lab Certifications
Make sure the best saliva hormone test kit that you select uses labs that are certified by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) or other trusted organizations. These certifications show that the lab follows strict quality criteria needed for precise diagnostic testing.
Reputation of the Manufacturer
Choose a respected brand with a dedication to precision, trustworthiness, and customer assistance. Look into the history of the company, read real feedback from customers, and check if there are any scientific publications to ensure its credibility.
Top 3 Products for At-Home Saliva Hormone Testing
Single Hormone Saliva Test by RxLab
This midnight salivary cortisol test kit, prepared for home use, is very important because you can know the exact time when saliva was collected. It’s crucial for measuring hormones like cortisol at certain hours of the day. This method saves money compared to serum tests and gives trustworthy results about steroid hormone levels.
Saliva Hormone Test Kit by The Compounding Pharmacy of America
Recognized as a user-friendly kit, this product has simple instructions and gives precise monitoring of hormone quantities. It provides choices for full or single-hormone panels, so it can be used flexibly as per individual test requirements.
ZRT Laboratory Saliva Hormone Test Kit
Along with this test, you will get a custom health plan with suggestions from herbalists or pharmacists according to the results. This professionally-made package can test critical hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and more than one daily cortisol level. The ZRT labs are very famous for their accurate saliva hormone testing methods.
In addition to home kits, you can have such testing at most private and governmental clinics or labs. Just google “saliva hormone testing near me” and you will get the addresses of the medical facilities where you can get an appointment.
Conclusion
Testing hormones with saliva hormone tests offers a method that is not invasive, easy to do, and provides precise measurement of bioavailable hormone levels. People can monitor hormonal changes from the comfort of their homes with the at-home cortisol test. This method has its advantages, such as ease of use and tracking hormonal rhythms in regular periods. However, it’s important to think about things like FDA approval and lab certifications while choosing a saliva hormone test kit. Before starting any testing for hormones, always think about your health first and talk with healthcare providers.
