The Saliva Hormone Test Kit is a test kit supplied through our Naturopathic Clinic. It is an at home test that can help you determine whether you hormones are in balance and whether they are within the normal range for each hormone. The kit is produced by Rocky Mountain Analytical Lab (www.rmalab.com).

Rocky Mountain Analytical Lab is located in Calgary, Alberta. The lab opened in July 2002. They are accredited by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. They are the only laboratory offering saliva hormone testing commercially in Canada. Rocky Mountain Analytical provides a variety of tests, including those that test hormone levels, allergies, adrenal and thyroid function and insulin resistance.

Hormone balance can have a profound affect on one’s health. There are a variety of symptoms that can be related to hormone imbalance. Keeping your hormones balanced may help you maintain good health in the present as well as the future. The test results can help us identify imbalances which may be affecting your health. The test itself is not a diagnostic test and does not supply a treatment plan, but it will help supply the information required to help us determine which treatment options you may benefit from. Testing can be beneficial if you have unpleasant symptoms, if you are currently using Hormone Replacement Therapy, or if you feel good and want a reference for future use in case symptoms develop. If you feel you may have an imbalance, please ask us for more information about the saliva hormone test kits or our consulting services.

In blood, 95 – 99% of steroid hormones are bound to proteins. The remaining 1 – 5% remains unbound and are referred to as “free” hormones. These free hormones are regarded as bioavailable, since they are available to bind to receptor sites. When hormone levels are measured by a serum sample, theoretically the amount of free hormone is approximately 1 -5% of the total measured. The amount of free hormone, however, cannot be distinguished from the total amount of bound and unbound hormone in the serum. As a result, the level of free hormone cannot actually be measured by serum, it can only be estimated. When hormone levels are measured by saliva samples, only the free, bioavailable hormone is measured. This is because the hormone must pass through the salivary gland into saliva by passive diffusion. This means that by the time the hormone reaches the saliva, it has already been delivered to tissue, where the receptor sites are available for binding. Therefore the amount of hormone measured in saliva should only be the free, bioavailable portion.

There can be interferences in the results of your saliva test. It is very important to follow the directions included in the test kit as closely as possible to ensure the results are as accurate as possible. Foods and beverages can interfere with the results, therefore it is very important that the test be done upon waking, before eating or drinking anything, unless otherwise instructed. Some chewing gums and saliva increasing agents many also interfere with the results. Some medications can interfere with your results if taken just before collection. Be sure to include all medication and herbals or vitamins you are currently taking when filling out the forms included in the test kit. The use of sublingual hormones can cause elevated saliva hormone levels. If you are currently using sublingual hormones, please consult Rocky Mountain Analytical before using the saliva test kit. If you are currently using transdermal hormones, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before carrying out the saliva collection. Traces of hormones on your hands or lips can contaminate the collection tube.

The saliva sample should be collected upon waking before eating, drinking, or participating in any exercise, unless otherwise instructed. If you are still experiencing menstrual cycles, it is ideal to collect saliva between days 19 to 21 of cycle. If your normal cycle is > 28 days, collection should be done 7 days before next period is due. If you are on cyclic hormone therapy, it is best to collect sample towards the end of the hormone therapy cycle. If you have gone 3 months without a period, are postmenopausal and not taking hormone replacement therapy or you take hormones every day, you may collect the sample at anytime of the month.

Cost of the test  varies with each patient’s individual needs. Please contact us for pricing information. Please note that the consultation and ordering the hormone test kit is done by our Naturopath. For prices and booking with a naturopath please visit our Naturopathic Clinic Webpage.