Testing for hormone imbalances

[OrlandoP]

I have a great obgyn and GP, but both are firm that if I'm still menstruating, there's no need to test for hormone levels.

My IC buddy and I are looking at the saliva self-tests. Any recent reports on this? Any thoughts on how to convince a doctor of the importance of hormone testing? Any luck with progesterone creams, which I hear can be very helpful?

[jen48446]

Sorry I don't mean to sound rude, but those doctors are ignorant!!! Most are though. If you PM me with your e-mail address we'll talk about what I did. I did the saliva testing. You can try a Endrocrinologist & see if they will test your levels too. :angel::smile tee:cat:

[runningemiles]

I did the salvia test too. I know a lot of gynos are into those so I might would just call around and find one that will write you a script then I went to the compounding pharmacy that does them. A lot of the pills they give you has a lot of vitamins in them and I flared for a while but then had so much energy and also helps w/ weight loss. My hormones were messed up after my baby and I got tested a year later for weight gain b/c I had never had this problem before. Good luck!!!!!!

[armslee]

What is the difference with the saliva test versus blood test? If anyone knows please let me know! I have had MAJOR weight gain over the last year since my hyster.
Thanks!

[sami4]

Lets just reason this out for a minute; every Endocrinology book I have ever read has based its research and recommendations on serum hormone testing. All the research I have ever read (except to compare serum and saliva tests) has been done with serum levels. All drug studies are done with serum levels. Cortisol testing is unaffected by the method of collection and saliva tests are sometimes used. The credible authorities on the subject (Vliett, Gillespie for example) all use serum tests for hormones and consider saliva useless.
I have done my own comparisons. I once had atrophic vaginitis with a serum estrogen level and a saliva level taken the same day. My serum level showed 30 (severely low), the saliva test indicated I had a very high level of estrogen and they recommended it be cut in half. Interesting, but Dr. Viett has mentioned that she has seen the same disconnect between symptoms, clinical evidence and saliva tests which are just innaccurate.
So why do they use them? For one thing naturopaths, nutritionists, and others who cannot order serum tests or RX medications have acess to saliva testing; its a marketing tool. Dr. Lee made saliva testing a household idea by some of his progesterone books (researchers failed to duplicate his theory's).
Why on earth any physician would not run serum testing is ridiculous. Why would the same physician run tests to determine thyroid activity and dose, or insulin dose, if they could be titrated on "how do you feel?" Totally silly and makes no follow through logic at all!
There are places you can order your own serum tests without a doctors order, email me at sami4esp@aol.com and I will tell you. A estrogen test runs about 40.00. I have tried to post this place before which is reputable and used by thousands of people but it gets cut out by this website.
Sammi

[sami4]

My apologies for the double post, but I did not address the reason most authorities are not using saliva tests. The reason is a serum test of a hormone shows the balance or equilibrium between that which is bound by SHBG and the free hormone which is the available amount to the cells. This is a dynamic and changing amount between the bound and the free. The saliva tests read high compared to clinical symptoms and actual serum levels, they also read all over the place. Saliva tests run on the same day at different times will vary greatly, and are not accurate reflective of the clinical symptoms nor provide a reliable standard or range to adjust a dose of anything.
In short-save your money; get a serum test.
Sammi

[armslee]

Sami,
Thanks for your insight. I found it very informative!

[samandmichelle]

Michelle's now-former Gyno didn't seem interested in hormone testing, so we went ahead and ordered it ourselves. I don't normally second guess Drs - who am I to question someone who went through all that schooling? Turns out she's got the hormone levels of a post-menopausal woman, at 23. Unfortunately - because we're really tired of switching Drs, we'll be seeing someone new. He's made quite a few concerning decisions (telling us he couldnt help after he didnt find anything on the lap, just to call back and apologize - pushing the HPV vaccine to a married couple - ignoring her bleeding and hot flashes, etc.). We found someone locally who has experience in Urogynecology, so the morale of the story is - if you dont like the answer, find someone else!