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August 2009 - The Facts about Saliva, Serum, and Urine Testing in Adrenal Function Assessments.
Call Off: 623-594-6508 or Cell: 602-348-3686
Email: lori@hormonenurse.com
Saliva testing uses multiple time-specific specimens and is easily collected by the patient at home, work etc. It is of minimal bio hazardous to clinical staff. Saliva testing is time specific. Multiple saliva samples are collected at different times of the day or night to allow for real-time evaluation of hormonal stress response and circadian rhythm. Saliva testing measures the unbound bioactive hormone fraction available to living cells. This is the hormone level that needs to be evaluated. Saliva testing allows the adrenal function to be classified in time related values and stages of adrenal exhaustion. Consequently, therapeutic options are expanded and treatments are very specific.
Serum or (blood) testing approximates real life conditions, using single specimens. A single sample does not allow circadian rhythm evaluation. No real time component. Serum requires clinical staff for blood draw. Anticipation of blood draw could cause an artificial increase in cortisol levels. Serum can be potentially bio hazardous to clinic staff, specially given AIDS and Hepatitis. Routine serum hormone testing reflects total hormone level not the bioactive fraction.
Serum results are reported as high, low or normal. Twenty four hour urine contains metabolites of the hormones and is not time specific. Urine testing does not reflect time sensitive hormonal and stress responses. Urine collecting and testing is a minimal biohazard to clinical staff. Urine testing reflects production and catabolism and not the bioactive hormone fraction that living cells can utilize. Urinary hormone interpretation can be very misleading.
Call Off: 623-594-6508 or Cell: 602-348-3686
Email: lori@hormonenurse.com
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