Who would benefit from a Saliva Hormone Test?
TEENAGERS with PMS
MEN who are concerned about being at risk for Prostate disease, Andropause (Male Menopause) and declining hormone levels.
MEN who are experiencing: Decreased libido, Erectile dysfunction, Loss of stamina, Decrease in mental sharpness, Reduced muscle size, Tearful episodes or increased moodiness, Metabolic syndrome, Prostate enlargement or cancer, Hot flashes, Irritability.
WOMEN who are concerned about declining hormone levels are encouraged to annually evaluate estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels to prevent osteoporosis and to monitor hormone levels for those who already have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.
WOMEN who would like to know if they are at risk for Breast Cancer. Dr. Zava has what he calls a Breast Cancer Profile; high estradiol and testosterone, low progesterone and DHEA with flat cortisol levels.
WOMEN with symptoms whose blood tests did not reveal a hormone challenge. But they still intuitively know they have a problem. Hormone testing oftens validates how we feel when blood tests do not.
WOMEN who have been on a progesterone cream and are not getting good results to determine if lack of absorption, weak cream, not using enough or using too much are the cause.
WOMEN who have been on ERT and HRT and are concerned that their estrogen/progesterone levels may be out of balance – putting them at risk for breast cancer.
WOMEN who are having problems getting pregnant. A saliva hormone test can reveal subnormal progesterone output, suggesting a possible reason for infertility.
WOMEN with a diagnosis of PCOS would benefit with a saliva hormone test during the second half of the menstrual cycle (luteal phase) which assists in monitoring hormone levels while participating in a program to restore hormonal balance.
Knowing which hormones…
Testosterone
New studies suggest that testosterone can be of real help, and potential harm, to women. It is important to determine testosterone levels for women – particularly women over 40 and women exercising regularly since high levels of testosterone can also triple heart risks for older women. High levels of testosterone may also be responsible for Hot Flashes in Peri and Menopausal women. Testosterone is a hormone that a women would only supplement if the saliva test shows it is deficient!
Men should always test testosterone levels since the decline of this hormone is at the core of male menopause (andropause). Often loss of energy, loss of sexual drive loss of ambition are written off as burnout or depression when in actual fact these symptoms could be related to low testosterone.
DHEA
This hormone is produced in the adrenals of both men and women from cholesterol. Nearly every cell in the body has receptor sites for this hormone. DHEA follows the pathway in the body converting to Testosterone and Estrogens. We know that DHEA declines steadily after early adulthood. When they test and find out they are deficient, both men and women generally feel marked improvements in well-being when they take a DHEA supplement.
Progesterone
We always recommend that Progesterone – Pg should be tested. Progesterone is a neutral hormone with neither male nor female attributes. It is the balancing hormone to E2 – estradiol. This hormone needs to be found in adequate amounts in both men and women as it has been shown to protect the prostrate in men by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase, and to protect the uterine lining and breast tissue in women. Low progesterone levels contributes to estrogen dominance in both men and women. Adequate progesterone assists the body in building new bone an important component in the prevention of osteoporosis.
Estradiol
We always encourage the testing of estradiol – E2 estrogen. E2 is an estrogen that causes cell proliferation and is the strongest estrogen that your body makes. It is produced with each women’s menstrual cycle and is the most common estrogen prescribed in hormone replacement therapy. A balance is usually maintained between estrone and estradiol of about 50/50 therefore we don’t recommend testing for Estrone – E1 estrogen as it is likely to be relative to E2.
Men over the age of 50 usually will have escalating levels of E2 often in larger amounts than women of the same age. Men too need to test this hormone.
Good to Know, Saliva VS Blood Tests…
Saliva tests are more comprehensive than blood serum. Saliva tests show the bioavailable hormones or the free hormones instead of the total amount in the bloodstream. Saliva allows for multiple collections throughout the day - as hormones fluctuate - which provides a better big picture.
AM Cortisol
Cortisol is made in the adrenal glands in reaction to stress. The effect of elevated Cortisol is often so subtle that we hardly pay attention to the symptoms – gaining a few extra pounds, a slight drop in sex drive and energy levels and a bit of trouble with our memory. Finding out if your stressful lifestyle is having an impact on your morning Cortisol can be determined through a saliva hormone test. If cortisol levels are shown to be out of range you will be motivated to do something about getting your stress levels under control.