One of the simplest ways to test for hormone levels is through the use of salivary hormone testing. This way the need for expensive blood tests is avoided, yet new technologies have made salivary determination of hormone levels extremely accurate.

We have available two main salivary hormones profiles: A female profile and a male profile.

Female Salivary Hormone Profile (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone): 

Hormones exert a powerful influence over a woman's health. Estrogens protect a woman from cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis and are vital for fertility. Progesterone levels affect mood, and balance the tissue proliferative effect of estrogen. Testosterone increases energy, libido, and muscle.

A simple rapid assessment of a patient’s hormonal balance can be made by measuring estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. Informed decisions regarding the need to initiate Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), or how to individualize therapy can then be made to maximize the health benefits of HRT. Individual differences in hormone metabolism make monitored therapy the best choice for long term health.

Estrogen replacement therapy reduces the occurrence of coronary artery disease by 25 to 50 percent and is the agent of choice for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Careful monitoring and individualization of HRT can provide women with the benefits of exogenous estradiol while reducing the risk of endometrial and breast cancer. (An increased cancer risk has been associated with conjugated estrogen or synthetically modified hormone use. This is not the case with bio-identical or natural hormone use.) Symptoms such as fatigue, low libido, and diminished well-being may accompany androgen deficiency and can be significantly improved with testosterone replacement.

• Hormone levels affect health and well-being.

• Monitoring hormone therapy increases therapy benefits while reducing side effects.

• Due to individual differences in hormone absorption and metabolism, the hormone dosage required to attain physiologic levels will vary by patient and method of administration.

Current and long term use of estrogen hormone therapies has been found to significantly lower the incidence of death. Health risks are significantly reduced with carefully monitored customized treatment. Low dose estrogen therapy has been found to be effective and beneficial with long term use.

Male Salivary Hormone Profile (Testosterone, estrone and DHEA): 

Testosterone is the major male sex hormone and at high levels is responsible for the development of male sex organs and characteristics. Testosterone also helps build lean muscle, skin tone, and libido.

Estrone is much less potent than estradiol but has the same function. Increased estrone levels are commonly found in andropausal men. It is not unusual for men over 50 years old to have higher estrogen levels than women of the same age.

DHEA is the most abundant steroid in the body. DHEA is a steroid precursor produced by the adrenal gland and converted to progesterone, testosterone, or the estrogens by the body's tissues. Adequate DHEA levels give the body the building blocks necessary to produce these hormones. Levels of DHEA are inversely associated with coronary artery disease. Taking DHEA may increase IGF-1 levels and increase the sense of well-being. DHEA levels decrease with age.

By performing a saliva test of these three hormone levels, important information about the underlying health and aging status of a man can be determined. Blood testing of these three hormones typically cost several times as much.

The optimal way to utilize these tests is to perform a baseline determination of salivary levels, then perform a follow up evaluation a few months after beginning hormone replacement therapy.

(Note: Men MUST obtain baseline PSA testing for prostate cancer and regular followup - at least every 6-12 months - when taking hormone replacement therapy.)