Quick Facts
- Sample: Saliva (3–4 collections over 24 hours)
- Fasting: Avoid eating, brushing teeth, or using mouthwash for 1 hour before collection
- Turn-around: 7–10 days after the lab receives samples. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Identify sleep disruptions - Pinpoint hormonal imbalances affecting your sleep quality
- Convenient at-home collection - No clinic visits or lengthy appointments required
- Personalized insights - Understand your unique circadian rhythm patterns
- Actionable results - Get specific recommendations for targeted interventions
- Cost-effective screening - Direct-to-consumer pricing without facility charges
- Comprehensive analysis - Multiple time points reveal complete hormone patterns
Who Is This Test For?
- People experiencing chronic insomnia or difficulty falling asleep
- Individuals with persistent fatigue despite adequate sleep time
- Shift workers struggling with irregular sleep schedules
- Those with mood disorders or seasonal affective symptoms
- Anyone seeking to optimize sleep quality and daytime alertness
- People considering melatonin supplementation or sleep interventions
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Collect saliva samples at specified times over 24 hours using provided tubes
- Ship samples to the lab using included packaging (Monday-Thursday only)
- Receive detailed results with hormone patterns and clinical recommendations
FAQ
What hormones does this test measure? This test measures melatonin, cortisol, and progesterone at multiple time points to assess your circadian rhythm function and identify sleep-disrupting imbalances.
How accurate is saliva testing compared to blood work? Salivary hormone testing shows strong correlation with clinical standards (r=0.910 for melatonin, r=0.955 for cortisol) and provides reliable circadian rhythm assessment (Annals of Laboratory Medicine 2021).
When should I collect my samples? Follow the precise timing schedule provided - typically morning awakening, noon, evening, and midnight collections to capture your complete circadian cycle.
Can medications affect my results? Yes, synthetic hormones and certain medications may impact results. Consult your healthcare provider and wait to take morning medications until after collecting your morning sample.
Do I need to change my routine during testing? Maintain your normal sleep schedule and avoid major lifestyle changes, excessive alcohol, or significant stress during the collection period for accurate results.
How do I interpret my results? Results show your hormone patterns compared to normal ranges, identifying specific imbalances. Healthy patterns show cortisol peaking in early morning and melatonin rising in evening.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Sleep Assessment evaluates your body's natural circadian rhythms by measuring melatonin, cortisol, and progesterone secretion patterns throughout a complete 24-hour cycle. This comprehensive analysis identifies hormonal disruptions that may be causing sleep disorders, chronic fatigue, mood disturbances, and stress-related symptoms. The test provides valuable insights into your sleep-wake cycle function, enabling targeted interventions to restore healthy circadian rhythms (Mayo Clinic 2024).
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is particularly valuable for individuals experiencing persistent sleep difficulties, unexplained daytime fatigue, or stress-related symptoms. Those with irregular work schedules, frequent travelers dealing with jet lag, and people considering sleep optimization interventions would benefit significantly. The test is also recommended for individuals with mood disorders, seasonal affective symptoms, or those seeking to understand their unique circadian patterns before implementing targeted treatments like light therapy or melatonin supplementation (American Academy of Sleep Medicine 2024).
When should I order a Sleep Assessment - Genova Test Kit?
Consider ordering this test if you experience persistent insomnia, difficulty falling or staying asleep, chronic morning fatigue, or irregular sleep patterns lasting more than two weeks. The test is ideal before starting sleep interventions, when evaluating shift work challenges, or if you suspect circadian rhythm disorders. It's also recommended for monitoring treatment response to sleep therapies or when unexplained fatigue affects your daily functioning (Johns Hopkins Medicine 2025).
How do I interpret the results?
Your results display hormone levels at each collection time compared to established normal ranges, revealing your personal circadian rhythm patterns. The report identifies specific imbalances and provides clinical interpretation with targeted recommendations.
Low nighttime melatonin
- What it means: Difficulty falling asleep, poor sleep quality
- Typical action: Light therapy, melatonin supplements, improved sleep hygiene
High daytime melatonin
- What it means: Daytime sleepiness, disrupted circadian rhythm
- Typical action: Increase bright light exposure, adjust sleep-wake schedule
High nighttime cortisol
- What it means: Sleep disturbances due to stress or overstimulation
- Typical action: Stress reduction techniques, relaxation practices before bed
Low morning cortisol
- What it means: Fatigue upon waking, possible adrenal dysfunction
- Typical action: Adrenal support, consistent sleep routine, lifestyle changes
Low nighttime progesterone
- What it means: Trouble staying asleep or waking too early
- Typical action: Consider hormone evaluation, support relaxation, explore bioidentical progesterone options with a provider
Approximately 70 million Americans have sleep disorders, with 90% of sleep apnea cases remaining undiagnosed (Sleep Health Foundation 2024).
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
Plan your collection early in the week for prompt shipping, avoiding Friday collections. One hour before each sample collection, avoid eating, brushing teeth, using mouthwash, chewing gum, or tobacco products - water consumption is permitted. If taking synthetic hormones or medications, consult your healthcare provider as these may affect results. Maintain your normal sleep schedule and avoid excessive alcohol or major lifestyle changes during the collection period. Store samples in the freezer immediately after collection for at least 2 hours before shipping.
How often should I get tested?
- Initial sleep assessment: Baseline testing, then as needed
- Treatment monitoring: Every 3–6 months during intervention
- Shift work challenges: Every 6–12 months or with schedule changes
- Seasonal adjustments: Biannually (spring/fall transitions)
- Stable sleep patterns: Annually for preventive monitoring
Why early detection matters
Sleep disorders cost the U.S. healthcare system $94.9 billion annually, while sleep deprivation costs the American economy up to $411 billion yearly in lost productivity (American Journal of Managed Care 2021). Early detection of circadian rhythm disruptions enables preventive interventions before they develop into chronic conditions. Inadequate sleep increases diabetes risk, contributes to cardiovascular disease, and increases mortality risk by 13% for those sleeping less than 6 hours nightly. Identifying and addressing hormonal imbalances early can prevent progression to more serious health consequences (CDC Sleep Data 2024).
Related tests you may consider
Adrenal Function Saliva Panel - Labrix Test Kit- Assessment of cortisol and DHEA stress-related biomarkers. Provides a broader context for stress hormone patterns and identifying underlying adrenal dysfunction contributing to sleep disruption.
Comprehensive Melatonin Profile, Saliva - Genova Test Kit - Detailed evaluation of melatonin secretion patterns throughout a complete light-dark cycle. This complementary test offers more extensive melatonin analysis for individuals with suspected severe circadian rhythm disorders or those requiring precise melatonin therapy optimization.
Metabolomix+ Nutritional Test FMV, Urine - Genova Test Kit - Comprehensive nutritional and metabolic analysis identifying vitamin, mineral, and amino acid deficiencies that may impact sleep quality, such as magnesium, B-vitamins, and amino acid precursors essential for neurotransmitter production.
