Adrenal Fatigue Saliva Test

Saliva testing for adrenal hormones is a salivary examination designed to measure the adrenal stress index. It helps to determine the person’s adrenal glands function and any significant changes in the circadian rhythm. The test specifically checks for the levels of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol – two of the steroid hormones that play a role in managing stress, influencing metabolism and regulating thyroid functions. Saliva testing for adrenals is a primary and a reliable indicator of how well the adrenals are functioning and how the human body deals with stress.

Purpose

Adrenals are types of endocrine glands located at the top of the kidneys. Their main purpose is to secrete hormones in response to stress. Cortisol and DHEA are two stress hormones released by adrenals.




Saliva testing for adrenals helps measure any imbalances of the steroid hormones. It is found out that any disparity in these hormones may result in a wide range of symptoms, including exhaustion, low energy, loss of drive, hormonal problems and depression. Another function of saliva testing for adrenals is to recognize adrenal fatigue, a syndrome caused by dysfunction of adrenal glands. Thanks to excessive and prolonged stress, this dysfunction (if not medically addressed) can lead not only to adrenal fatigue, buy also to respiratory infections, insomnia, obesity and other chronic conditions. The person suffering from adrenal fatigue may look well but is actually experiencing a general sense of tiredness and unwellness. As a result, people who are suffering from this disease take coffee and other stimulants to go on with their day.

How The Test Is Performed

Saliva testing for adrenals is done by getting 4 saliva samples collected 4 times throughout the day. Timing is usually 8 AM, 12AM, 4PM, 11PM but is modifiable. The saliva specimen is collected into tubes which the person is carrying throughout the day. Refrigeration of the specimen is not necessary. Saliva sample needs to be collected several times because cortisol level fluctuates during the course of the day. DHEAS and other hormones are measured only once a day at 8 AM.

Collected specimens are sent to laboratory for analysis and interpretation of the result, which takes approximately two weeks. Home test kits for adrenal saliva testing are quite expensive and may cost up to $200 or even more, but it should be mentioned that they are not available in all states such as California or New York due to state laws and legislation.

What To Do Before Test

A person taking saliva testing for adrenals must:

• Not take any steroid medication in the form of inhaler, cream or pill 48 hours prior to the test.
• Not consume coffee, alcohol or do smoking on the day of the test.
• Avoid using mouthwash 1 hour prior to sample collection. Eating and brushing and flossing teeth are also avoided.

Reliability

Saliva testing for adrenal hormones is accurate and reliable. It is a standard measurement in identifying the levels of steroid hormones, particularly cortisol and DHEA. The testing is acknowledged by the World Health Organization and the National Institutes of Health as a precise procedure in measuring cortisol quantity.