More On Sputum Testing for Bioidentical Hormones: & References

Saliva testing of hormones simplifies and customizes the intervention process, and includes other hormone interaction findings. From Jay Mead, MD, Labrix, a test site for saliva testing. 

A good starting place for assessing hormonal status is to measure estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and morning cortisol. Remember: cortisol has a well established 24-hour diurnal rhythm, and the time of day when this is measured will reveal unique aspects of one's health. If there are complaints of sleep disruptions, a night cortisol should also be performed, and if there are suspected metabolic and blood sugar dysregulations, all cortisols should be tested (morning, noon, evening and night). This is a 3-D of cortisol ->

Since cortisol has a diurnal rhythm, it is measured at specific times of the day to reflect overall adrenal health and identify specific dysfunction when present. An added benefit of saliva testing is that after the four samples are tested for the diurnal rhythm of cortisol secretion, these samples are pooled to give an average value for estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA. Because of the erratic and unpredictable nature of hormonal fluctuations throughout a 24 hour period, averaging the samples gives a far more accurate reflection of hormonal status.

The solution to hormonal imbalances is simple and straightforward. Consult with your health care practitioner for salivary hormone testing [Audio interview here] and an individualized treatment approach (to include a bioidentical hormone prescription).

Bibliography
1. Peter O'leary, Peter Feddema, Katherine Chan, Mario Taranto, Margaret Smith, Sharon Evans (2000) Salivary, but not serum or urinary levels of progesterone are elevated after topical application of progesterone cream to pre-and postmenopausal women . Clinical Endocrinology 53 (5), 615-620.
2. Lee, John R. MD. Letters to the Editor Menopause. 10(4):374-377, July 2003
3. Mead, Jay H. MD. Saliva versus Serum Bibliography, Labrix Clinical Services, Inc. (2004)
4. FDA Statement on the Results of the Women's Health Initiative (8/13/2002) Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Results Signal Need for Reassessment of Risks and Benefits of Conjugated Equine Estrogens/medroxyprogesterone Acetate (Prempro) in Postmenopausal Women.
5. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women. JAMA 17 July 2002; 288:321-333
6. Diurnal changes of salivary estradiol in a female during luteal phase., IBL Hamburg Germany (2004)