The Technology

Over 300 studies during the last five years have used saliva as a diagnostic medium to measure free hormone levels. Ninety to ninety-nine percent of steroid hormones are bound to carrier proteins (e.g. cortisol-binding globulin, sex-hormone-binding globulin, albumin), rendering them unavailable to target tissues. When released from their binding proteins, these small lipophilic molecules freely diffuse into tissues, including the salivary gland. The steroids measured in saliva are estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, DHEAS and cortisol.

Anderson Compounding Pharmacy is proud to exclusively utilize ZRT Laboratory for all salivary hormone testing. ZRT is unique as the only lab that does extracted saliva testing. During this process, interfering molecules in the saliva are removed, allowing for reproducible results with minimal interference from contaminants. For low-level hormones such as estradiol that require very sensitive testing methods, direct assay methods show decreased sensitivity. ZRT’s extraction process concentrates the sample for improved sensitivity, and it removes potentially interfering compounds for the highest level of accuracy and precision.

Advantages

  • Saliva measures the bioavailable fraction of steroid hormones, using the salivary gland as a semipermeable membrane to assess what is available to the tissues.
  • Optimal collection time is possible, since testing is done by the patient at home.
  • Saliva can assess individuals using topical hormone supplementation.
  • The painless and needle-free procedure is especially important when collecting cortisol, which may be altered by the fear of a serum blood draw.
  • Hormones are stable in saliva at room temperature for up to three weeks, allowing worldwide shipment.
  • Cost effective — less expensive than conventional serum testing.

Clinical Utility

Saliva testing can help providers:

  • Identify hormone imbalances prior to the appearance of patient signs/symptoms
  • Identify hormone imbalances associated with symptoms
  • Establish hormone baselines prior to surgery or beginning therapy
  • Monitor hormone levels when supplementation is used, allowing for individualized hormone dosing
  • Track patient symptoms and hormone levels with comparative history reports provided with follow-up testing

About ZRT Laboratory

ZRT Laboratory logo

With 20 years of experience and results from over 8 million tests, ZRT is a CLIA certified diagnostic laboratory and leader in innovative, safe, and meaningful hormone and wellness testing that assist health care providers in making informed treatment decisions.

SALIVA TESTING REFERENCE

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