SALIVARY HORMONE TESTING Validity and compounding?

I used ZRT labs (no prescription needed) to test salivary hormones for both myself and my husband. I am 48 and my husband is 60. The salivary testing is not cheap, it cost us about $200 apiece. The salivary tests took about a month for us to find out the results. The lab tests indicated I was low in progesterone, but estrogen and testosterone was ok. My husband was low in testosterone. My husband subsequently had blood testing of the free testosterone, which also indicated a low reading. He was put on a bio-identical gel Testim, and he feels so much better. Increased energy,libido, strength, and it seems his immune system is better. I started with a bio-identical progesterone cream, Pro-Gest which is available over the counter (you can get it at vitacost.com for a reduced price). I also highly recommend Suzanne Somers book, Ageless, just out within the past couple of weeks. I hope this helps you, maybe your hormones are out of sync, and once you find out which hormones you need, it will help with your depression. Of what I’ve read, the themes which keep repeating over and over are exercise at least 30 minutes a day, eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and organic produce and meat, avoid sugar, enriched flour, hydrogenated fats and high fructose corn syrup. Also, take a good vitamin/mineral supplement, and supplement hormones which you are found to be low with bio-identical hormone creams/gels. I think iacprx.com will tell you compounding pharmacies in your area. Good luck, I hope this helps you. Kathy D

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Not valid, saliva is produced by the exocrine salivary glands and is not blood. If you really want a valid test, go to a real medical center and have blood drawn and have your thyroid and hormone levels tested the right way. Hormones are secreted directly into the blood by an endocrine gland, not saliva. Enough said.

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I am going to get a saliva test from Vitamin Research Products – www.vrp.comI’m sure you have been doing some reading too or you would not be headed in this direction. This was just one of the companies listed in the book “What your doctor may not tell you about breast cancer”. The book also listed a web site for a list of referrals for testing and medical care. The saliva test seems valid to me for the hormones I am interested in. It will be interesting to see the difference with my thyroid levels since I need a blood test for that too. Main stream medicine hasn’t impressed me much so I’m setting out to help myself. Good luck to you.

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I’ve had excellent results utilizing saliva testing for my thyroid, adrenal and reproductive hormone levels for the past 3 years, and will continue to monitor my levels, with my health care practitioners, in this fashion. These tests have DRAMATICALLY helped me to improve the quality of my health and well-being.Blood tests only can reveal what is circulating within the bloodstream. Saliva tests reveal what is actually getting into the cells/tissues.The lab (listed below), actually provides a complementary blood test for the thyroid, along with the saliva test. The blood test came back “normal”; the saliva test showed that I was definitely suffering from hypothyroidism and corresponded to my physical and emotional symptoms–weight gain around the waist, depression, lethargy, fatigue.I also received very accurate results regarding my adrenal glands and reproductive hormones, Believe me, I’m in menopause and this has been a Godsend. I don’t even bother with the blood tests anymore. With some people, if they want the blood tests–and the tests indicate their hormones are out of balance– the saliva tests will generally show–their hormones are WAY OFF. And I’m sure you know that it doesn’t take much of a hormonal imbalance to wreak havoc.Also, for thyroid conditions, and every cell in the body for that matter, it is vitally important to determine the iodine levels. (Info below).I have been placed on hormone replacement therapy and am on a DHEA cream and a progesterone cream which utizile a very effective pump method. (Company is listed below). In addition, I’ve been taking (by prescription) Nature Thyroid–a natural glandular which has been most effective. Started on 1/2 grain per day, but now am on 1/8 grain due to taking Iodoral–iodine supplement after determing quite low iodine levels. I have LOST THE ENTIRE TUBE OF WEIGHT that had been collecting around my waist and on my buttocks. I now have more energy and the depression and lethargy has lifted. You may also want to check for food sensitivities/allergies, hypoglycemia, adrenal exhaustion, parasites, and heavy metal toxicity if you have not already done so, as these can create a multitude of problems involving many organs/systems and can contribute to chronic depression.Best of luck and excellent health to you.