Quick Facts
- Sample: Saliva collected at home upon waking
- Fasting: No eating, drinking, or brushing teeth before collection
- Turn-around: 7-10 Days once the lab receives the specimen. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Convenient at-home collection - No needles, doctor visits, or lab appointments required
- Measures bioavailable hormones - Saliva reflects active hormone levels your body can actually use
- Comprehensive hormone assessment - Tests five key hormones affecting energy, mood, and reproductive health
- Fast, secure results - Get results digitally within days with medical oversight and review
- Empowers informed decisions - Take control of your hormonal health with actionable insights
- Monitors therapy response - Track hormone therapy effectiveness and supplement adjustments over time
Who Is This Test For?
- Women experiencing PMS, menopause, or PCOS symptoms seeking hormone balance insights
- Men with low energy, decreased libido, or andropause concerns wanting testosterone evaluation
- Adults with unexplained fatigue, mood swings, or weight changes exploring hormonal causes
- Individuals on hormone therapy or supplements monitoring treatment effectiveness
- Health-conscious people proactively screening for hormone imbalances before symptoms worsen
- Those with sleep issues or stress-related symptoms evaluating cortisol and adrenal function
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Collect your saliva sample immediately upon waking using the provided collection tube
- Ship your sample using the prepaid shipping materials included in your kit
- Get your results securely online or by mail.
FAQ
When is the best time to collect my saliva sample? Immediately upon waking before eating, drinking, brushing teeth, or using mouthwash for most accurate results.
How accurate is saliva testing compared to blood tests? Saliva testing shows 84-93% correlation with blood free hormone levels and reflects bioavailable hormones your body can use (Endocrine Society 2022).
Do I need a doctor's order for this test? No, this is a direct-to-consumer test that doesn't require a doctor's visit or prescription.
What if I'm taking hormone medications or supplements? Avoid topical hormone creams for at least 3 days before testing, but continue oral medications unless advised otherwise.
When should menstruating women collect their sample? Typically on days 19-21 of a 28-day cycle, or as specifically instructed with your kit.
How long before I get my results? Results are typically available within 7-10 business days through a secure digital platform or by mail.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This comprehensive saliva test evaluates five essential hormones that regulate your reproductive, adrenal, and metabolic health. The panel includes estradiol (E2), progesterone (Pg), testosterone (T), DHEA-S (DS), and morning cortisol (C1). These hormones work together to control energy levels, mood stability, sexual function, stress response, and overall well-being (Cleveland Clinic 2024).
Saliva testing offers unique advantages because it measures the bioavailable, or "free," portion of hormones that your body can actually use. Unlike bound hormones in blood, salivary hormones reflect what's actively available to your tissues, providing clinically relevant insights into your hormonal status.
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is particularly valuable for adults experiencing unexplained symptoms that may be hormone-related. Women going through reproductive transitions like perimenopause, menopause, or dealing with conditions like PCOS can gain crucial insights into their hormonal status (North American Menopause Society 2023).
Men experiencing symptoms of andropause, including decreased energy, reduced muscle mass, or changes in sexual function, can evaluate their testosterone and stress hormone levels. Additionally, anyone dealing with chronic fatigue, mood changes, sleep disturbances, or weight fluctuations may discover underlying hormonal imbalances contributing to their symptoms (Mayo Clinic 2023).
When should I order Female/Male Saliva Profile I - ZRT Test Kit?
Consider ordering this test when experiencing persistent symptoms like unexplained fatigue, mood swings, changes in menstrual patterns, decreased libido, or difficulty managing stress. It's also valuable before starting hormone therapy to establish baseline levels, or to monitor ongoing treatment effectiveness (Endocrine Society 2022).
The test is particularly useful during life transitions such as perimenopause, menopause, or andropause when hormone levels naturally fluctuate. If you're dealing with chronic stress or suspect adrenal fatigue, the cortisol measurement provides important insights into your stress response system.
How do I interpret the results?
Your results will show each hormone level compared to age and sex-specific reference ranges. Understanding these ranges helps identify potential imbalances:
Within normal range
- What it means: Hormone levels appear balanced
- Typical action: Continue healthy lifestyle practices
Below normal range
- What it means: Possible hormone deficiency
- Typical action: Discuss supplementation or therapy options
Above normal range
- What it means: Possible hormone excess
- Typical action: Evaluate causes and consider treatment
Borderline ranges
- What it means: Subtle imbalance may be developing
- Typical action: Monitor symptoms and retest in 3–6 months
Early detection of hormone imbalances can reduce healthcare costs by up to $2,000 per patient annually by preventing complications (Johns Hopkins Medicine 2023).
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
Proper sample collection is crucial for accurate results. Collect your saliva sample immediately upon waking, before eating, drinking, brushing your teeth, or using mouthwash. This ensures hormone levels reflect your natural morning baseline without interference from food or oral hygiene products.
For menstruating women, timing matters. Collect your sample on days 19-21 of a 28-day cycle unless otherwise instructed. Avoid using topical hormone creams for at least three days before testing, as they can affect results. If you cannot ship your sample the same day, store it in your freezer until shipping.
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your individual circumstances and health goals:
- Initial health assessment: Baseline test, then follow-up in 3–6 months
- Monitoring hormone therapy: Every 3–4 months during treatment adjustments
- Symptom management: Every 6 months or when symptoms change
- Preventive health screening: Annually for adults over 35
- Menopause transition: Every 6–12 months during perimenopause
Why early detection matters
Hormone imbalances often develop gradually, with subtle symptoms that worsen over time. Nearly 80% of women experience hormone imbalance symptoms during their lifetime, yet most go undiagnosed until significantly impacting quality of life (North American Menopause Society 2023). Up to 40% of infertility cases are linked to subtle hormonal imbalances detectable through targeted testing (Cleveland Clinic 2024).
For men, 25% over age 45 have symptoms of low testosterone that often go underdiagnosed without proactive screening (Mayo Clinic 2023). Early identification allows for timely intervention, potentially preventing more serious health complications and improving quality of life through targeted treatment approaches.
Related tests you may consider
Comprehensive Hormone Profile, Saliva - Doctor's Data Kit checks hormone levels to help find out why someone might be feeling tired, gaining weight, having trouble sleeping, or feeling stressed. This test is good for women with menstrual or menopause issues and men with low energy or mood problems.
Diurnal Cortisol (Cx4) - ZRT Test Kit measures cortisol levels at different times throughout the day from saliva samples to help doctors understand how your body responds to stress and recommend ways to manage it for better health.
Sex Steroid Metabolites Profile, Dried Urine - ZRT Test Kit uses dried urine samples to check how well your body processes hormones like estrogen and testosterone. It helps doctors understand and manage hormone-related health issues effectively.
