Saliva Collection Instructions
Guidelines for Women:
WOMAN WITH MENSTRUAL CYCLES:
Collect saliva on day 19, 20, 21 of your cycle, counting the first day or your period as day 1.
POST MENOPAUSAL WOMEN OR WOMEN WHO HAVE HAD A HYSTERECTOMY:
Collect saliva any day of the month.
WOMEN TAKING HORMONE REPLACEMENT OR BIRTH CONTROL (REGARDLESS OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE):
Topical hormones (cream): DO NOT APPLY ANY TOPICAL HORMONES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY OF SALIVA COLLECTION. This will contaminate your sample and compromise your tests results. Your last dose prior to saliva collection should be applied within a window of 12-24 hours before collecting your first saliva sample.
Sublingual hormones or troches (dissolved under tongue): DO NOT USE ANY SUBLINGUAL HORMONES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY OF SALIVA COLLECTION. This will contaminate your sample and compromise your test results. Your last dose prior to saliva collection should be taken within a window of 24-36 hours before collecting your first saliva sample, followed by two 8 oz. glasses of water.
Oral hormones (pills): Should be used as prescribed on the day of collection.
Injections, subcutaneous pellets and transdermal patches: The recommended dosage interval is mid regimen.
Cortisol supplementation: CONSULT WITH YOUR PROVIDER for instruction if you are taking cortisol supplementation for adrenal support. When testing cortisol (for baseline adrenal function), STOP USING CORTISOL CONTAINING PRODUCTS 5 DAYS PRIOR TO SALIVA COLLECTION. (Cortisol containing products include OTC hydrocortisone creams, etc.)
IUD does not change usual testing guidelines.
Guidelines for Men:
MEN NOT ON HORMONES:
Collect saliva on any day.
IF YOU ARE TAKING HORMONES:
Topical hormones (cream): DO NOT APPLY ANY TOPICAL HORMONES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY OF SALIVA COLLECTION. This will contaminate your sample and compromise your tests results. Your last dose prior to saliva collection should be applied within a window of 12-24 hours before collecting your first saliva sample.
Sublingual hormones or troches (dissolved under tongue): DO NOT USE ANY SUBLINGUAL HORMONES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DAY OF SALIVA COLLECTION. This will contaminate your sample and compromise your test results. Your last dose prior to saliva collection should be taken within a window of 24-36 hours before collecting your first saliva sample, followed by two 8 oz. glasses of water.
Oral hormones (pills): Should be used as prescribed on the day of collection.
Injections, subcutaneous pellets and transdermal patches: The recommended dosage interval is mid regimen.
Cortisol supplementation: CONSULT WITH YOUR PROVIDER for instruction if you are taking cortisol supplementation for adrenal support. When testing cortisol (for baseline adrenal function), STOP USING CORTISOL CONTAINING PRODUCTS 5 DAYS PRIOR TO SALIVA COLLECTION. (Cortisol containing products include OTC hydrocortisone creams, etc.)