Question 22 - HRT - Monitoring Hormone Levels
(Posted March 15, 2000)

Dr N

Is it beneficial to do the saliva testing to determine hormone levels? How often should this testing be done? Thanks so much in advance.

Hi,
I don't know a lot about the saliva testing, but I would think that if it is accurate, it is no more so than blood testing.

I have been approached by someone who wanted me to offer it and it sounded like some sort of "kick-back" scam and I wanted no part of it. I think however, that monitoring your hormone levels can be a reasonable and desirable thing to do.

I would suggest that you just have your doctor draw blood to be sent to the lab for testing. The tests are more predictive in terms of of actual hormone affect when the non oral route of hormone administration is being used. The reason for this, is that some byproducts of hormones and substances that bind to hormones that are produced by the passage of orally absorbed hormones through the liver. These substances render the tests less predictive of how effective the levels are in exerting their intended role.

This issue is also addressed at some length in one of the archived questions on the drop-down list on the Ask Dr N page. (question and answer #3)

Let me know what and how you do.

Dr N