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Confused about Saliva Results

I just received my test results for estrodial, Progesterone and Testosterone and I am a little puzzled by them. I am 53, have not had menses for 60 days and I have many of the symptoms of estrogen dominance... bloating, weight gain, cravings, mood swings, hot flashes etc. I was using progesterone cream and stopped two weeks before the test. I am puzzled because the test results show that my estrodiol is low 3.5(range 1.0- 9.0 pg/ml) but the progesterone level is 190(range 50-250 pg/ml) so by this I am not estrogen dominant.
I noticed that both units are the same, however I thought that estrodiol is usually measured in ng's.

I would be grateful if you could shed some light on this, because I was certain the test results would show I was low in progesterone. I don't know if I should continue to use the cream or should I use a small dose.

Thanks so much!

Kate

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Jul 01, 2012
 Confused about Saliva Results
by: Wray

Hi Kate They can be confusing. Firstly saliva tests for both hormones are measured in pg/ml, hence the same for yours. If you'd had a serum test done, oestrogen is measured in pg/ml and progesterone in ng/ml. See Hormone Testing. Progesterone does suppress oestrogen, but it's evident you were not using much progesterone, possibly 20-40mg/day? As your progesterone is not really very high, it can go to 4000pg/ml or more, see here. We run Saliva Tests and from these you'll see how high levels can get. One thing labs and doctors don't check are the ratios of the two hormones. You'll notice on the saliva results that the lab we use do check ratios. Yours is only 54:1, we've found from the saliva tests that the ratio should be 600:1 and over to feel well. So it doesn't surprise me you have all those Oestrogen Dominance symptoms. I normally recommend 100-200mg/day or more, dependant on symptoms. So if you're only using a low amount, please increase it. But do be aware by doing so you could experience oestrogen dominance worsening initially. As you are in that phase between Peri-menopause and Menopause please read through these two pages. Take care Wray

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