AM Cortisol (C) - Saliva Hormone Level Imbalance Testing Kit
Cortisol is the 'stress' hormone and combats stress and anxiety keeping you active and energetic. It is active in carbohydrate and protein metabolism. Changed patterns of serum cortisol levels have been observed in association with abnormal ACTH levels, clinical depression, psychological and physiological stress.
If you are
experiencing any of the following signs and symptoms, measuring your Cortisol
levels may assist you and your physician in making accurate and conclusive diagnosis.
This saliva Cortisol testing kit tells you if your Cortisol levels are within
the expected optimal range depending on your age and sex. It may prove very
helpful to you and your physician in determining if any observed complications
are associated in any way with variation in the Cortisol levels. It is
particularly useful if you have been under a lot of stress lately.
This method of testing involves collecting your saliva and is a very easy, convenient and accurate means of determining your AM Cortisol levels. There are no needles involved like what you must endure when you travel to a laboratory and have your blood drawn in a conventional test. You simply collect the samples in the privacy of your own home-saving you time and money and the inconvenience of having to make an appointment and drive back and forth to the lab.
This AM Coritsol hormone imbalance saliva test kit also allows you to routinely check your AM Cortisol levels.
Common Signs &
Symptoms that may be associated with
AM-Cortisol variation in both Males and Females:
- Depression
- Memory issues
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Stomach ulcers
- High blood pressure
- Increased levels of cholesterol
- Weight gain/loss
- Alcohol cravings
- Insulin resistance
- Heart disease
- Osteoporosis
- Frequent illnesses
- Stress intolerance
- Chronic Fatigue
- Cold intolerance
- Inflammation
- Changes in blood sugar levels
- Aches and pains
- Fibromyalgia
- Prolonged illnesses
- Common colds
- Alcoholism
- Depression
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Insomnia
- Asthma
Each kit contains:
- Instructions for How to Use Saliva Collection Kit
- Symptom Checklist on Test Requisition Form
- Requisition Form to complete including your personal and medical history
- Vial(s) for collecting saliva
- Pre-paid, Pre-addressed Return Packaging
If you need to you can use CPT Code 82530 for billing purposes
Most of the hormones show a daily endogenous rhythmic variation in their levels and the results of a hormonal test would depend significantly on the time at which the test was taken. So, sampling just once would be inadequate to make any suggestive analysis! Ideally, it is suggested that such profiling should be done periodically at different times in a day for multiple days for obtaining suggestive data that is biologically meaningful.
Saliva Testing
Saliva based hormone level testing is a convenient way of testing steroid hormones. Since mid 1980s thousands of scientific studies have shown a strong correlation between steroid hormone levels in saliva and the amount of hormone in the blood that is active or "bioavailable."
Saliva testing can be done anywhere anytime. Blood based hormone testing that relies on blood drawn in the doctor's office makes it harder to obtain samples at specific times (such as in the early morning) or multiple times during the day. In addition, hormones in saliva are exceptionally stable and can be stored at room temperature for up to a week without affecting the accuracy of the result. This offers maximum flexibility in sample collection and shipment.
Advantages
- Saliva measures the free, "bioavailable" fraction of steroid hormones that have moved out of the bloodstream and into the tissue -- NOTE: Blood and urine measure "total" levels
- Saliva as a collection tool is a painless, noninvasive and needle-free (stress caused by a conventional blood draw can alter test results)
- Private (home collection kit) convenient for both patient and doctor allows for optimal collection time
- Hormones are stable in saliva at room temperature up to three weeks allowing for worldwide shipment
- Transport of saliva samples to laboratory requires no special handling
- Less expensive than conventional hormone blood testing
- Ease of collection allows for routine monitoring of hormone levels and adjustment of hormone supplementation as needed.
Clinical Utility
Saliva testing can help providers:
- Identify hidden hormonal imbalances (deficiency or excess) associated with patient symptoms of menopause and andropause as well as reproductive disorders, chronic illness and diseases of aging
- Link clinical symptoms to specific hormone imbalance(s)
- Maintain health and prevent disease through early detection of any hormonal imbalance(s)
- Establish treatment to restore hormonal balance and patient quality of life
- Monitor patient hormone levels for "individualized" hormone replacement therapy
- Track patient progress with comparative history reports provided with follow-up testing
NOTE:
California State residents:
California State health law requires that the testing of any specimen collected or mailed from California be sent with a written order from a health care professional licensed in California to order laboratory tests. This includes the following disciplines: M.D.; D.C.; LAc; R.D.; D.O.; N.P.; and Pharmacists (R.PH). As of September 2002 (Senate Bill 577), such lab tests may be ordered by complementary or alternative health care practitioners "not providing services that require medical training."
New York State Residents
New York State health law prohibits the testing of
specimens collected in or mailed from New York, and prohibits the transmission
of data from ZRT Laboratory to NY physicians or residents. Therefore, direct
receipt of lab results for NY residents is not possible.
The Chain of Custody Form is valid for one year after the date of purchase.
DNA & Genetics
DNA & Paternity
