Saliva Tests



NEXT GENERATION
FDA / CE APPROVED SALIVA HORMONE TEST
New Technology Ensures Highly Accurate Results
No More Blood Tests !


NEW TECHOLOGY ELIMINATES DRAWBACKS FROM OLDER INNACURATE SALIVARY TESTING
New technology from Europa is finally available to eliminate the drawbacks of Salivary Hormone Testing which made it untenable due to the high rate of innaccuracies. Saliva Hormone testing is not new and has been around for at least 10 years...the problem is that the tubes and reagents used to collect the spit in reacted with the hormones and produced inaccurate results. Glass tubes break and the reagents used in glass collection kits don't stabilize the hormones and they breakdown in transit also producing innacurate results.

Well, the Germans figured it out and in 2005 released their information and started making testing available using special ultra-sensitive LIA technology which combined with their special tubes and reagents, produce a 95% accuracy rate.

WHY SALIVA? Blood has a number of significant drawbacks ...
1. Blood serum contains both inactive bound and conjugated and free hormone fractions which have to be separated out and then an equastion applied to approximate free %.
2. Blood contains hormone binding proteins (SHBC...sex hormone binding globulin), CBG, etc. which prevent the hormone's breakdown by enzymes in the blood. A time consuming job to separate this which makes it expensive.
3. Blood hormone values are interfered by naturally present conjugates (sulphates, etc.) which react and interefere with accurate analysis values.
4. Blood has extremely low diagnostic value due to all the above factors.
5. Blood is hard to store long term and is more sensitive to breakdown.
6. Blood values are NOT a reflection of free TISSUE levels...blood levels only, which doesn't mean anything since we're after tissue levels which is where all the action takes place. Someone can have normal blood values according to some standardized off the shelf test kit and still exhibit all the clinical symptoms of deficiencies or imbalances.

NEXT GENERATION ULTRA-SENSITIVE SALIVA TESTING--THE NEW GOLD STANDARD
Saliva has been used for many many years for the detection of different biomarkers such as electrolytes, hormones, drugs and antibodies in humans and in veterinary medicine. Collecting saliva is possible at any time of the day or night and can be performed under circumstances where blood serum collection is difficult or inadvisable.

With the ability to evaluate a pooled saliva sample from multiple collections, it is possible now to get a reliable assessment of hormone concentration even if distinct daily fluctuations occur. The use of special Polypropylene collection tubes and collection methods also improve test reliability to over 95%.

Steroid hormone assessment from saliva also allows for specific determination of ONLY the Biologically Active Free Fraction of target hormones, which more accurately reflect true tissue levels.




The First FDA / CE Approved Ultra-Sensitive Hormone Saliva Testing from Europe is now available in the USA...

Historically the FDA would not approve Saliva Testing for hormones because it was well known to be inaccurate due to limitations of existing sample collection & processing technologies. Well, that is now a thing of the past.

The key to accurate saliva testing is in the collection device, reagent, and methodology. All existing saliva testing kits currently are using either unapproved plastics which react with the hormones and give inaccurate results, or glass which destabilizes the hormones and tends to break in shipment and the caps of glass tubes are not made of non-reactive plastic and that also gives innacurate results.

IBL-Hamburg (Immuno Biological Laboratories) has developed the only saliva test kits and methodology which eliminates these potential drawbacks.
Test methods for saliva have to be extremely sensitive as the concentrations of biologically active free fractions are significantly loeer in saliva than that found in blood serum. The required sensitivity can only be achieved through chemiluminescence, a technology developed in Germany by IBL-Hamburg.
It is 10+ times more sensitive than ELISA or other methods used currently.

These are the only Saliva tests we use...we're one of a handful of practitioners in So.Calif. able to offer these tests. IBL-America opened in the US a few years ago and their testing division for is KMI Diagnostics, whom we are priviledged to be professional collegues with and have developed a casual friendship with.

WHAT KINDS OF TESTS ARE AVAILABLE?

Free Steroids in Saliva by LIA

Cortisol (Adrenal hormone. Used to evaluate stress, immune function, adrenal function, fluid regulation, etc. Important to evaluate when chronic stress is present combined with fatigue not improved by sleep. Recommend alongside thryoid system function study.
Cotinine: (hormone which elevates as a breakdown byproduct of nicotine exposure) (NON-FDA APPROVED)
DHEA (dihydroepiandosterone)--made by the adrenal glands. Involved in stress response, immune function, etc. Excess stimulates appatite, produces middle waistline fat gain, chronic deficiencies lead to muscle loss, elevated risks of heart disease, immune dysfunction, cancer, etc.
Estrogen Family: (E1--Estrone / E2--17-ß-Estradoil / E3--Estrone)
Important in menstruation, pregnancy, metaboic rate since it supresses thyroxin conversion in tissue to active form, improves insulin sensitivity, improves carbohyrate tolerance, body temp regulation w/thyroixin and hypothalamic feedback, etc. Excess of Estradoil metabolites are carcinogenic and increased ratios produced higher risk of fibroids and cancer.
Melatonin: Hormone made by the Pineal Gland in the Brain which regulates many body functions including sleep, insomnia, and even development of mood disorders, immune dysregulations and cancer. Reduced levels seen in cancer patients, Fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions, etc.
Progesterone: Hormone made by many tissues including ovaries, uterus, endometrial lining, etc. in women. Off-sets some of the effects of Estrogens. Small amounts made in males. Present in cycling females during second half of menstrual cycle and peaks at onsetof menstruation. Highest levels during pregnancy. Important for maintaining pregnancy. Important for bone health, increases appatite, reduces insulin sensitivity, HRT during menopause. Elevated levels produce sedative effect and loose ligaments /connective tissue (to facilitate bone spread in pregnancy) which can be an underlying cause of pain. Depression and low libido also a side effect of elevated tissue levels also. Cardio-protective. Good for surgeries to be done at peak progesterone levels to avoid blood clots.
17-OH-Progesterone: An adrenal hormone which is primarily used to rule out congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in susceptible individuals. It's presence can alter the levels of other hormone values in testing.
Testosterone: Sex hormone made by both males and females which produces sex drive and arousal. Produces male features such as facial hair, acne in teens, agressive bahavior, etc. Important for bone and muscle growth, enhanced mood an energy, and helps off-set the carcinogenic effects of unopposed Estradoil, as well as being cardioprotective.


Ultrasensatiive ELISA Salivary Test

Melatonin: Important to help determine causes of sleep disorders, insomnia and is an important marker in the risk of developing or managing Cancer and other denegerative conditions like Fibromyalgia or Pain Syndromes.
Cortisol (Adrenal hormone. Used to evaluate stress, immune function, adrenal function, fluid regulation, etc. Important to evaluate when chronic stress is present combined with fatigue not improved by sleep. Recommend alongside thryoid system function study.



WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS TEST ?

WELLNESS PROGRAMS

CARDIOVASCULAR PATIENTS

ANTI-AGING PROGRAMS

CANCER PREVENTION & MANAGEMENT

FIBROIDS (breast, uterine, etc.)

PAIN SYNDROMES

LYMES PATIENTS

FIBROMYALGIA & CFS/ME

HORMONE IMBALANCES (Menopause, Polycystic Ovaries, Elevated PSA/Prostatitis, etc.)

MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY

SLEEP DISORDERS

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS

SMOKING CEASATION

ADDICTIONS



TESTS WE OFFER

Individual Hormone Tests
Cortisol
Cotinine (nicotine derivative)
DHEA
Estrone (E1)
17ß-Estradoil (E2)
Estriol (E3)
Progesterone
Testosterone


Multi-Hormone Panels
Comprehensive Adrenal Panel (Cortisol 5x)
Morning Peak Adrenal Panel (Cortisol 5x,am)
Abbreviated Adrenal Panel (Cortisol 2x)
Comprehensive General Hormone Panel (E2,P,T,D,C-5x)
Men's Panel (E2,P,T,D,C2x)
Women's Panel (E2E3,P,T,D,C2x)


HOW DO I GET TESTED?
1. Call and make an appointment for a consultation office visit if you live in the area. If you need a long distance phone consult, we can do that also. New Patient Hormone Consults are $185.00. Consultation fee does NOT include Lab test fees since it varies with the test chosen. Call our So.Calif. office at 909-338-3533 for Scheduling. Follow up phone or in person consults are billed at $50 per 1/2 hr. Go to the links below and fill out the paperwork and fax it in to set up an appointment.
Appointment Request & Fee Schedule
Consent Form
History Form

2. After we determine which tests are needed, we'll give the kit with instructions at the appointment or mail the appropriate kits to the patient with requisition and instructions. Testing requires specific dietary and other instructions, including a 12 hr. fast prior to taking it. The completed test is shipped via prepaid US Mail either directly to our Lab by us with the completed requisition enclosed or the patient depending on whether or not it is a virtal consult or office visit.
3. Payment is made to our office only. The Lab is a Reference Research Lab which means they don't interact with our patients directly but only us. We pay them.
4. Results are sent to us within 3-7 business days of the Lab's receipt of the samples. We call the patient to schedule a follow up appt. to go over results and determine course of action. Follow up fee applies.
5. Lab Fees: Single Hormone Tests are $35.00 each. Multiply the number of items tested by the single fee of $35 (Example: Comprehensive Adrenal is 5 tests x $35=$175)
6. Payment: Unfortunately we cannot accept insurace for payment. We accept V,MC, Disc. Credit Cards, Postal Money Orders or Bank Drafts. No personal or business checks except local.
NOTE: There is a 3% admin. fee for tests paid for with credit card

Mandatory FDA Disclaimer: The statements & products shown on this website have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Statements are not intended to constitute professional advice for treatment of any disease but are for educational purposes. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

(909) 338-3533 / FAX (909) 338-3743
E-mail: dbormann@arrowheadhealthworks.com *ARROWHEADHEALTHWORKS.COM