Description
Saliva testing proves to be more effective than blood testing when searching for “free” hormone levels. Some hormones, in particular steroid hormones, bind to hormone carrier proteins in the blood, making them unavailable to target tissues. Consequently, the concentration of hormones in the blood is higher than in the saliva. Saliva panels measure the bioavailable hormone levels, which better relate to hormonal imbalances.
Alongside additional diagnostic tests, saliva hormone panels can indicate hormonal imbalances and potential disorders. You may also use these panels to track the efficacy of lifestyle changes (exercise, diet, etc.) and treatments. Additionally, consistent hormone panels can monitor changes during perimenopause, menopause, and andropause. They may also be helpful leading up to and throughout bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).
