Quick Facts
- Sample: Saliva and dried blood spot
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 7-8 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Comprehensive hormone assessment - measures 9 key markers including reproductive, stress, and thyroid hormones
- Convenient at-home collection - no clinic visits or appointments needed for sample collection
- Dual testing methods - combines saliva for bioavailable hormones and blood spot for thyroid markers
- Cost-effective healthcare - save up to 70% compared to traditional medical testing pathways
- Fast, accurate results - CLIA-certified lab with CDC-standardized methods delivers results in 7-8 days
- Private and confidential - secure online result delivery through protected patient portal
Who Is This Test For?
- Women experiencing fatigue, irregular periods, mood changes, or weight gain
- Those seeking baseline hormone assessment before starting hormone replacement therapy
- Women aged 35-65 navigating perimenopause or menopause transitions
- Individuals monitoring existing hormone therapy effectiveness
- Health-conscious women wanting proactive hormonal health screening
- Those with symptoms of PCOS, thyroid dysfunction, or adrenal imbalances
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order your kit - Purchase online and receive your test kit with easy-to-follow collection instructions
- Collect samples at home - Provide saliva samples throughout the day and a simple finger-stick blood spot
- Get your results - Receive comprehensive results online in 7-8 days
FAQ
What hormones does this test measure? This test measures 9 key markers: estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA-S, four-point cortisol (saliva), plus TSH, free T3, free T4, and TPO antibodies (blood spot).
When is the best time to take this test? For cycling women, collect samples on days 19-21 of your menstrual cycle. Post-menopausal women can test any time. Morning collection is required for cortisol accuracy.
How accurate is at-home testing compared to lab draws? ZRT Laboratory uses CDC-standardized methods with 89% diagnostic accuracy. Saliva testing actually measures bioavailable hormones more accurately than blood for certain hormones (ZRT Laboratory).
Do I need a doctor's order for this test? No physician referral is required. You can order directly online and access healthcare provider consultation for result interpretation if needed.
What should I do if my results are abnormal? Consult with a healthcare provider to correlate results with your symptoms and discuss potential treatment options. ZRT provides detailed result explanations to guide discussions.
Can I take this test while on hormone therapy? Yes, but discontinue hormone supplements 24-48 hours before testing if possible, or note usage on forms. This test is valuable for monitoring hormone therapy effectiveness.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This comprehensive test evaluates female hormonal health by measuring reproductive hormones, stress response, and thyroid function to identify imbalances affecting energy, mood, metabolism, and reproductive health. The combination of saliva and blood spot testing provides a complete picture of both bioavailable hormones and thyroid markers that traditional single-method testing cannot offer (CDC Hormone Standardization Programs).
Who would benefit from this test?
Women experiencing hormonal symptoms for 3+ months would benefit most from this comprehensive assessment. This includes those with fatigue, irregular periods, mood changes, weight gain, sleep disturbances, or hot flashes. The test is particularly valuable for women aged 35-65 experiencing perimenopause or menopause, those seeking baseline assessment before hormone therapy, and individuals with suspected PCOS or thyroid dysfunction (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists).
When should I order a Female Comprehensive Profile I?
Optimal timing for cycling women is days 19-21 of the menstrual cycle when progesterone peaks. Post-menopausal women can test any time. Morning collection within 30 minutes of waking is essential for cortisol accuracy. Consider testing if you've experienced hormonal symptoms for 3+ months or need baseline assessment before starting hormone therapy.
How do I interpret the results?
Results include individual hormone levels with age-appropriate reference ranges that vary by reproductive status. Consider results in context of symptoms rather than absolute numbers, as patterns of multiple hormones provide more information than single values.
Within normal range:
- Hormone levels appropriate for age/status
- Continue monitoring if symptomatic
Below normal range:
- Potential hormone deficiency
- Consult provider about supplementation
Above normal range:
- Possible hormone excess or imbalance
- Evaluate underlying causes with provider
Borderline values:
- Results near reference limits
- Retest in 3-6 months or correlate with symptoms
With hormone-related disorders affecting up to 20% of women with PCOS and 25% with thyroid dysfunction, comprehensive testing enables early intervention and personalized treatment planning.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No overnight fasting is required for this hormone panel. Avoid eating, drinking (except water), or brushing teeth 2 hours before saliva collection. Discontinue hormone supplements 24-48 hours before testing if possible, or note usage on forms. Rinse mouth with water 5 minutes before saliva collection to ensure accurate results.
How often should I get tested?
- Baseline health screening: Every 1-2 years
- Monitoring hormone therapy: Every 6-12 months
- Abnormal thyroid results: Every 3-6 months until stable
- Perimenopause/menopause: Every 6-12 months
- PCOS monitoring: Every 6-12 months
Why early detection matters
Early detection of hormonal imbalances can prevent progression to more serious conditions like PCOS, thyroid disorders, adrenal dysfunction, and metabolic syndrome. With thyroid dysfunction affecting 11.7% of the US population and PCOS affecting up to 20% of women during reproductive years, proactive testing enables timely intervention and improved health outcomes (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence).
Related tests you may consider
Female Blood Spot Profile II – ZRT Test Kit – This at-home test measures key female hormones (Estradiol, Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEAS, SHBG, and Cortisol) along with a complete thyroid profile (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and TPO antibodies). It provides insight into hormonal balance, adrenal health, and thyroid function, helping to identify imbalances that may affect energy, mood, metabolism, and reproductive health.
Wellness #1 Baseline Blood Test Panel- Evaluates blood sugar, kidney function, and cardiovascular markers often affected by hormonal imbalances
Vitamin Deficiency and Wellness Blood Test Panel – A comprehensive panel that evaluates cholesterol and cardiovascular risk, metabolic and organ function, complete blood count, and key nutrients including Vitamin B12, Folate, Magnesium, and Vitamin D. This test helps identify nutritional deficiencies, track wellness markers, and support overall health management.
