Saliva measures the free, “bio-available” fraction of steroid hormones that have moved out of the bloodstream (blood and urine measure total levels) into the tissue.  These Lipids are no longer bound to proteins, therefore, reflect Not Only what you’ve made, carried, but also what has been broken down, utilized & left-over. 

• Saliva is the most reliable measurement of tissue uptake with topical hormone supplementation.
• Painless, noninvasive and needle-free (stress of conventional blood taking alters test results).
• Private (home collection) convenient for both patient and doctor allows for optimal collection time.
• Hormones are stable in saliva at room temperature for weeks allowing for worldwide shipment.
• Transport of saliva samples to laboratory requires no special handling.
• Less expensive than conventional blood testing.
• Ease of collection allows for routine monitoring and adjustment of hormone supplementation as needed.

• Identify hidden hormonal imbalances (deficiency or excelle) associated with patient symptoms
  of menopause and andropause as well as reproductive disorders, chronic illnesses and diseases of aging.
• Link clinical symptoms to specific hormone imbalances.
• Restore hormonal balance and patient quality of life using test results as a rational basis for treatment.
• Monitor patient hormone levels for "individualized (natural, not synthetic)" hormone replacement.
• Track patient progress with comparitive history reports provided with follow up testing.

NOTE:  A comprehensive test report and evaluation, which relates symptoms and hormone usage with
hormone lab levels, is mailed, faxed or emailed to Healing Quest Center within 2-3 weeks of laboratory testing. 
You may schedule an appointment as a fee for service to discuss your results or call 1-312-664-2288. 

For more information, you can email us at healingquestcenter@msn.com
Attention:  Deborah Arneson
Licensed Clinical Nutritionist 

FEES  Per Panel $48

ESTROGENS (Estradiol, estrone, estriol) are predominately female hormones. In adults, they are important for maintaining the health of the reproductive tissues, breasts, bone, skin and brain.  Excessive estrogens or “estrogen dominance” can cause unwanted symptoms such as fluid retention, weight gain, and migraines as well as over-stimulation of the breast, ovaries and uterus, which can lead to cancer. 

Insufficient estrogen levels can lead to hot flashes, vaginal dryness, rapid skin aging, urinary problems, excessive bone loss and possible acceleration of dementia. 

In men an excess of estrogen, relative to testosterone, is thought to play a role in the development of prostate problems.  Most scientists now agree that by-products of estrogen metabolism are a causative factor of both breast and prostate cancers.

PROGESTERONE can be thought of as a hormonal balancer, particularly of estrogens.  It enhances the beneficial effects of estrogens while preventing the problems associated with estrogen excess.  Progesterone also helps to create a balance of all other steroids.  It also has intrinsic calming and diuretic properties.   It is important in women, but its importance in men for the maintenance of prostate health is only now being appreciated.  

Androgens (Testosterone & DHEA, androstenedione) play an important role for men and women in tissue regeneration, especially in maintaining the structural integrity of skin, bones and muscles.  These anabolic hormones are also important to generate energy for all dynamic processes in the body from brain to muscle function.

• DHEA is the principal androgen in both men and women.  DHEA levels decline with age and in some cases, supplemented DHEA can restore energy, improve immune function, life depression and mental function.

• Testosterone is involved in maintenance of lean body mass, bone density, skin elasticity, sex drive and cardiovascular health in both sexes. Men make more of this hormone, accounting for their greater bone and muscle mass.  However, testosterone is vital to optimal health and wellbeing in both men and women.

• Androstenedione is a precursor for both estrogens and testosterone, especially in females.  It can be produced in excess by the ovaries, especially during early menopause, and can cause some of the “androgenic” symptoms such as scalp hair loss, acne and facial hair growth.

GLUCOCORTICOIDS primarily CORTISOL, are produced by the adrenal glands in response to stressors such as emotional upheaval, extreme exercise, surgery, illness, sleep deprivation, or eating disorders.  Cortisol plays an essential role in immune function, mobilizing the body’s defenses against viral or bacterial infection, and fighting inflammation; however, chronic elevated cortisol levels suppress the action of the immune system and predispose to frequent infections.  Cortisol levels are highest first thing in the morning, to combat the stress of overnight fasting and to animate the body for daily activities.  Levels steadily decrease over the course of the day, falling to their lowest point at night in preparation for sleep.  High cortisol, particularly when chronic and elevated at night has been closely associated with many of the diseases of aging (insulin resistance, diabetes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and breast dysfunction, and allergies caused by a compromised immune system.  Both high or low cortisol levels are warning signs for adrenal imbalance that can accelerate the aging process and have devastating effects on health.

Provider Handout – created by Dr. J. H. Meade, M.D. for ZRT and Mead Laboratories