SALIVA TESTING

Saliva testing is a non-invasive collection method where patients collect their saliva in plastic tubes in order to measure hormones like cortisol, estrogens, progesterone, and androgens. This non-invasive saliva collection is ideal for patients because it allows them to collect their sample in the privacy of their home or office.

Why Do We Test Hormones in Saliva?

Steroid hormones in the bloodstream are 95-99% bound to carrier proteins, and in this form are unavailable to target tissues. Saliva testing measures the amount of hormone available to target tissues – the bioavailable amount. For this reason, saliva testing better relates to specific symptoms of excess or deficiency, and is a good option for monitoring hormone therapy.

Some analytes cannot be tested using immunoassays, the methodology used for most of our saliva testing. For that reason, ZRT developed LC-MS Saliva Steroid Profiles using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). These profile tests a broad range of bioavailable hormones and hormone metabolites in one convenient saliva sample collection. LC-MS testing allows for accurate reporting of estrogens down to extremely low levels, such as those seen in men, children, and people using aromatase inhibitors, and includes a test for ethinyl estradiol, 3 hormone blockers, and melatonin. To learn more about what you can test with our LC-MS Saliva Steroid Profiles, view our LC-MS Provider Data Sheet.

ZRT is one of the first labs to measure hormones in saliva and helped establish the method that made saliva hormone testing commercially viable for health care providers and patients around the globe.

 

Best Practices for Saliva Testing

ZRT measures hormones from a single morning sample, which represents the peak of daily hormone production – the optimal time to measure

Best Practices for Saliva Testing

ZRT measures hormones from a single morning sample, which represents the peak of daily hormone production – the optimal time to measure

Today’s Most Advanced Saliva Testing
Ranges Adjusted for Supplementation
Ranges Adjusted for Supplementation:
Unlike other labs, patients do not need to stop hormone supplementation to use ZRT’s testing because we have ranges adjusted for age, menstrual status and supplementation types. This is the ideal method for tracking the effectiveness of hormone treatments.
No Pooling
No Pooling:
ZRT does not pool patient samples, meaning that we don’t mix multiple daily samples together to get an average hormone level. Instead we measure hormones from a single morning sample, which represents the peak of daily hormone production – the optimal time to measure.
Extraction
Extraction:
ZRT is the only lab to perform an extraction process for saliva testing, which separates hormones from background contamination. This is the only way to assure accurate test results for low-concentration hormones such as estradiol.
Industry Standards
Setting Industry Standards:
ZRT initiated and manages the industry-wide standards program called the Saliva Proficiency Inter-laboratory Testing Program – which enables laboratories to regularly evaluate and improve saliva testing accuracy.
Learn More About Saliva Testing

 

HORMONE TESTING FOR DIFFERENT SUPPLEMENTATION TYPES

 

Webinar: Pros & Cons of Testing Steroid Hormones in Saliva

Paper: Saliva Validity

Saliva Testing Options
Saliva Hormone Test Kit  - ZRT Laboratory

Saliva Test Kit Includes:

Saliva Profile I – E2, Pg, T, DS & Cx1

Saliva Profile II – E2, Pg, T, DS & Cx2 

Saliva Profile III – E2, Pg, T, DS & Cx4 (Sample Report)

Hormone Trio – E2, Pg & T

Diurnal Cortisol – Cx4

NEW! Saliva Steroid LC-MS Hormone Profile 7 - E2, E1, E3, Pg, T, DHEAS, & C (learn more)

Saliva Steroid LC-MS Profile 23 – E2, E3, E1, EE, PregS, Pg, AlloP, 17OHPg, Adione, T, DHT, D, DS, 7keto, 11DC, C, Cn, Ccn, Ald, Mel, ANZ, FIN & LTZ (Sample Report)

 

Saliva + Blood Test Kit Includes:

Female Comprehensive Profile I – E2, Pg, T, DS & Cx4 (saliva); TSH, fT3, fT4 & TPOab (blood spot) (Sample Report)

Female Comprehensive Profile II – Cx4 (saliva); E2, Pg, T, SHBG, DS, TSH, fT3, fT4 & TPOab (blood spot) (Sample Report)

Male Comprehensive Profile I – E2, T, DS & Cx4 (saliva); PSA, TSH, fT3, fT4 & TPOab (blood spot) (Sample Report)

Male Comprehensive Profile II – Cx4 (saliva); E2, T, DS, SHBG, PSA, TSH, fT3, fT4 & TPOab (blood spot) (Sample Report)

 

ZRT Laboratory Adrenal Stress Hormone Test Kit

Adrenal Stress Test Kit Includes:

Adrenal Stress Profile – DS & Cx4 (Sample Report)

 

Weight Management Hormone Test Kit - ZRT Laboratory

Weight Management Test Kit Includes:

Weight Management – E2, Pg, T, Cx4 (saliva); TSH, D2, D3, In, HbA1c (blood spot)

Weight Management + Thyroid – E2, Pg, T, DS, Cx4 (saliva); TSH, D2, D3, In, HbA1c, fT3, fT4, TPOab (blood spot)

Weight Management + Cardio – E2, Pg, T, DS, Cx4 (saliva); TSH, D2, D3, In, HbA1c, hsCRP, TG, CH, LDL, VLDL, HDL (blood spot)

Weight Management + Thyroid + Cardio – E2, Pg, T, DS, Cx4 (saliva); TSH, D2, D3, In, HbA1c, fT3, fT4, TPOab, hsCRPTG, CH, LDL, VLDL, HDL

 

Neurotransmitter Test Kit - ZRT Laboratory

Neurotransmitters Test Kit Includes:

Neurotransmitters + Saliva Steroids  GABA, Glu, Gly, DA, Epi, NE, HIST, 5-HT, PEA, DOPAC, HVA, 5-HIAA, NMN, VMA, Trp, Kyn, 3-OHKyn, Tau, Gln, His, N-MeHist, Tyra, KynAc, Xanth, Tyr, Crtn (dried urine); E2, Pg, T, DS, C (saliva)

 

Cortisol Awakening Response Test Kit Includes:

Cortisol Awakening Response Profile (CAR) – DS & Cx6 (Sample Report)

 

Reference Information

ZRT Test Directory & Abbreviations

Saliva Reference Ranges

LC-MS Saliva Steroid Reference Ranges

About Saliva Testing

LC-MS Saliva Steroid Provider Data Sheet

FAQs

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