Best Way to Test Saliva
Saliva testing is the best method to measuring hormone levels.
Follow our simple directions to get the best results.
The great news is that all the information you need to effectively test your hormones is included in each test kit.
Here are some quick tips to help you prepare.
1. Prepare to collect.
- Wash your hands and rinse your mouth with cool water before collecting saliva.
- Wash your face before bedtime the night before collecting saliva, and do not apply lotions or creams that night or next morning (some may contain interfering substances). Use of routine cosmetics is permitted.
- Do not brush or ” oss your teeth or have dental work done 30 minutes prior to collecting saliva. Slight bleeding from these may alter test results.
- The timing of the ! rst morning collection is critical; it must be collected thirty minutes after awakening. Begin timing upon awakening even if you remain in bed.
- Avoid food one hour prior to saliva collection times. Food particles will contaminate the sample.
2. Collecting saliva.
- Use of the straws included to “funnel” saliva into each tube is optional.
- Each tube should be 3/4 full — bubbles or foam are acceptable.
- FILL ALL 4 TUBES regardless of how many tests are ordered.
- Please dispose of straws before shipping.
If you have any questions before proceeding, refer to IMPORTANT Guidelines on the back page prior to collecting your sample.
5 Panel Saliva Test Kit
3. When to Test – GUIDELINES FOR WOMEN.
WOMAN WITH MENSTRUAL CYCLES:
Collect saliva on day 19, 20, 21 of your cycle, counting the first day or your period as day 1.
MENOPAUSAL WOMEN OR WOMEN WHO HAVE HAD A HYSTERECTOMY:
Collect saliva any day of the month.
WOMEN TAKING HORMONE REPLACEMENT OR BIRTH CONTROL (REGARDLESS OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE):
- Topical hormones (cream): DO NOT APPLY ANY TOPICAL HORMONES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY OF SALIVA COLLECTION. This will contaminate the sample and compromise the tests results. The last dose prior to saliva collection should be applied within a window of 12-24 hours before collecting the first saliva sample. Eg. Apply progesterone at 7pm and no later in the evening if you plan to collect at 7am the next morning.
- Sublingual hormones or troches (dissolved under tongue): DO NOT USE ANY SUBLINGUAL HORMONES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY OF SALIVA COLLECTION. This will contaminate the sample and compromise the test results. The last dose prior to saliva collection should be taken within a window of 24-36 hours before collecting the first saliva sample, followed by two 8 oz. glasses of water.
- Oral hormones (pills): Should be used as prescribed on the day of collection.
- Injections, subcutaneous pellets and transdermal patches: The recommended dosage interval is mid regimen.
- Cortisol supplementation: When testing cortisol (for baseline adrenal function), STOP USING CORTISOL CONTAINING PRODUCTS 5 DAYS PRIOR TO SALIVA COLLECTION. (Cortisol containing products include OTC hydrocortisone creams, etc.)
- IUD does not change usual testing guidelines.
4. When to test – GUIDELINES FOR MEN.
MEN NOT ON HORMONES:
Collect saliva on any day.
MEN TAKING HORMONES:
- Topical hormones (cream): DO NOT APPLY ANY TOPICAL HORMONES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY OF SALIVA COLLECTION. This will contaminate the sample and compromise the tests results. The last dose prior to saliva collection should be applied within a window of 12-24 hours before collecting the first saliva sample.
- Sublingual hormones or troches (dissolved under tongue): DO NOT USE ANY SUBLINGUAL HORMONES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY OF SALIVA COLLECTION. This will contaminate the sample and compromise the test results. The last dose prior to saliva collection should be taken within a window of 24-36 hours before collecting the first saliva sample, followed by two 8 oz. glasses of water.
- Oral hormones (pills): Should be used as prescribed on the day of collection.
- Injections, subcutaneous pellets and transdermal patches: The recommended dosage interval is mid regimen.
- Cortisol supplementation: When testing cortisol (for baseline adrenal function), STOP USING CORTISOL CONTAINING PRODUCTS 5 DAYS PRIOR TO SALIVA COLLECTION. (Cortisol containing products include OTC hydrocortisone creams, etc.)
5. Frequently asked saliva testing questions
When Can I test if I am on a hormone balancing program?
We encourage you to monitor the therapeutic levels of your hormones to monitor your dosage. Remember to read the saliva kit instructions.
If you are using topical hormone supplementation it is important to stop using the hormones 12-24 hours before the first collection.
You can restart your regular supplementation AFTER you have completed all four samples.
When should I test if I am taking Birth Control Pills?
You can collect your samples anytime while using oral contraceptives, since they suppress some of your hormone levels and prevent cycling.
When you are testing after discontinuing the birth control pill, wait until days 19-21 of your second cycle.
Remember to read the saliva kit instructions.
I brushed my teeth and then did my first spit. What can I do?
Wash out the tube with water and leave to dry. Start to collect the next day instead.
The timing of the morning sample is VERY important for measuring your morning cortisol.
The natural peak is at 30 minutes after you wake up so watch the clock carefully so you can collect that first sample 30 minutes after you awake.
Food particles in the saliva or trace amounts of blood that may result from teeth brushing can affect the hormone levels.
I forgot to rinse my mouth before collecting. What should I do?
Rinsing your mouth helps to eliminate any food particles from the saliva sample and will remove mucus or film that may have developed in your mouth.
You can still submit this sample or you can empty the saliva tube, rinse with warm water only and begin collection tomorrow.
5 Panel Saliva Test Kit
6. Contamination Issues
It’s a good idea to stop all face and body creams 12-24 hours before collecting your first sample.
Also – make sure that all door handles and faucets and regularly used surfaces have been wiped clean, contamination of a sample from over-the-counter creams is common.
Check the ingredients on the tube and add to the list of supplements you are taking if you think it may contain hormones.
7. Mailing your saliva sample to the lab
Make sure ALL information is entered onto test requisition form (front and back), specimen bag, and sign the bottom of form (missing information may cause a delay in testing and/or interpretation).
8. Preparing to send the saliva sample to the lab
- Complete the Front and back of requisition form.
- Your name, address, date of birth, sex, time of sample collection, menstrual history (women only).
- The number of tests paid for is shown by a sticker on the requisition.
- Your signature is required on front of requisition form.
- Height and weight is required.
- Symptom questionnaire needs to be completed for the lab to properly interpret the results.
- Hormone therapy (including date and time of last dosage). This includes The Pill, DHEA, Estrogen, testosterone and progesterone supplementation.
- Make sure tubes are tightly SNAPPED closed and put into zip-top bag.
- Make sure completed test requisition form is in box with specimens.
- Seal box with enclosed sticker. Extra tape is not necessary.
- NEW NOTE: It is required that the sealed saliva sample be placed in a freezer until able to mail – THIS MUST BE NOTED ON THE REQUISITION. Please mail as soon as possible. Kit must be received by the lab within 14 days of collection.
- Send kit the very next business day via appropriate shipping method.
9. Which test kit is right for me?
The 5-Panel Basic Hormone Kit provides a basic evaluation of the sex hormones and a brief glimpse at adrenal function with the AM cortisol level.
This panel is useful before starting a program and when retesting for those who have begun hormone therapy.
This is the minimal test recommended for symptoms that include:
| Women | Men |
| Irregular menstrual cycle | Prostate enlargement |
| Hot flashes | Decreased libido |
| Anxiety/depression | Erectile dysfunction |
| Breast tenderness | Loss of stamina |
| Irritability | Decrease in mental focus |
| Night sweats | Reduced muscle size |
| Forgetfulness | Increased moodiness |
| Vaginal dryness | Prostate cancer |
| Urinary incontinence | Hot flashes |
| Uterine fibroids | Metabolic syndrome |
10. When should I retest my salivary hormones?
For most people, we recommend retesting at the 6 month mark. This is enough time to document results and make sure you are on track to balancing your hormones.
We then recommend testing again at the 12 month mark. After that, testing annually has been appropriate for most everyone.
For those with very acute issues, it may make sense to test a bit more frequently. But this can be determined after your initial test and review.
Saliva testing is simple, convenient, and painless. But, reveals very important information on the state of your hormone health.
Armed with this information, you can make intelligent decisions on how to be balance and maintain great hormone health.