Hormone testing plays a vital role in understanding imbalances that affect overall health, from reproductive health to metabolic and cardiovascular risks. These options provide patients and providers with actionable insights into hormone levels, guiding customized treatment plans and improving the quality of care.

Saliva Testing

Saliva testing is a non-invasive and convenient method for assessing hormone levels. It is especially useful for evaluating hormones that fluctuate throughout the day, such as cortisol or those with active metabolites.

Benefits of Saliva Testing

• Ease of Use: Patients can collect samples at home without needles or complex equipment.
• Targeted Insights: Provides accurate measurements of free (active) hormone levels rather than bound hormones.
• Multiple Collections: Enables testing at different times of the day for diurnal hormones like cortisol.

Saliva testing is commonly used to evaluate hormone imbalances related to adrenal health, stress, and reproductive issues.

Hormones Tested in Saliva Profiles

Saliva testing is valuable for measuring various hormones that affect physical and emotional health. Commonly tested hormones include:

• Cortisol: Assesses adrenal function and stress response.
• Estradiol and Progesterone: Evaluates reproductive health in women, especially during menopause or fertility assessments.
• Testosterone: Monitors levels in both men and women for issues related to libido, energy, and muscle mass.
• DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone): Reflects adrenal gland activity and contributes to overall hormone balance.

By identifying specific imbalances, saliva profiles provide essential data for developing personalized hormone therapies.

Capillary Blood Spot Testing

Capillary blood spot testing is another convenient, minimally invasive option for hormone testing. Patients collect small blood samples from a fingertip, which are then analyzed in the laboratory.

Advantages of Blood Spot Testing

• Simplicity: Allows for at-home collection with a simple finger prick.
• Long-Term Stability: Dried blood samples remain stable during transport, ensuring accurate results.
• Comprehensive Analysis: Measures both free and total hormone levels, providing a broader picture of hormone status.

Capillary blood spot testing is often used to evaluate thyroid function, reproductive hormones, and metabolic markers.

Benefits of Combination Testing

• Complete Hormone Profiles: Measures active (free) hormones in saliva alongside total hormone levels in blood.
• Thyroid and Adrenal Function: Provides insights into the interaction between these critical endocrine systems.
• Customized Treatment Plans: Offers detailed data for healthcare providers to create targeted interventions.

Combination testing is ideal for patients with overlapping symptoms or those undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Fertility Profiles

Hormone imbalances can significantly impact fertility, and specialized testing provides critical information for women trying to conceive. Fertility profiles assess the following:

• Estradiol and Progesterone: Essential for ovulation and implantation.
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH): Regulates ovulation.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): Promotes egg development in the ovaries.
• Thyroid Hormones: Evaluates thyroid function, which plays a crucial role in fertility.
• Cortisol: Measures stress levels, which can disrupt hormonal balance.

Cardiometabolic Assessments

These tests evaluate markers that impact cardiovascular and metabolic health. This profile is essential for patients with conditions such as obesity, diabetes, or hypertension.

Key Markers in the Profile

• Hemoglobin A1c: Reflects long-term blood sugar control.
• Lipid Panel: Includes cholesterol and triglycerides to assess heart disease risk.
• High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP): Indicates inflammation levels, a key factor in cardiovascular health.

Understanding these markers helps providers develop strategies for reducing cardio-metabolic risks and improving overall health outcomes.