Menu

Blood verses saliva tests for hormones

by Korina
(Australia)

I'm in a really tricky situation. I just received blood results for my hormones estrogen and progesterone, both are within the limits, my doctor also worked out the ratio between them and she said it was well balanced.

I also had saliva tests done a month prior and got completely different results my ratio was low, progesterone low and estrogen very high. I'm confused why is my ratio between the two hormones in my blood results look excellent but my saliva tell a different story????? Also how long should I stop taking progesterone before blood tests?

Comments for Blood verses saliva tests for hormones

Click here to add your own comments

Aug 28, 2011
 Asnwers
by: Anonymous

I'm interested to know the answers to both of these questions as well. Thank you for asking.
Aug 30, 2011
 hormones
by: Wray

Hi Korina Generally Saliva Tests are more accurate than blood tests. And your ratio, I've found from tests we run, that it should be 600:1 and over to feel well. Was yours in this range? And when was your blood test taken, as it should always be done ±7 days after ovulation or before bleeding. This is when both oestrogen and progesterone peak. I tend to go by symptoms rather than tests, do yours warrant using progesterone? It seems you are using progesterone, from your last question. It appears to be oral, as you say 'taking' it, or possibly a troche, as this seems the favoured way of giving it in Australia. If I'm right, oral progesterone is the least effective Delivery system. It's impossible to give an indication when to stop using progesterone prior to a test, as I don't know how much you are using. A high amount would take much longer to clear from the system than a low one. If you are under a lot of stress, it clears very quickly, as the progesterone is converted to cortisol one of the stress hormones. We do have more info on our page How to use progesterone cream. And for more info on blood tests and saliva tests please see here. Take care Wray
Sep 05, 2011
 When to do test
by: Belinda

Hi Wray,
If I do not have a normal cycle, would I still be able to get a test done to determine my levels? My cycle fluctuates 3 to 4 days each month. Thank you, Belinda
Sep 28, 2011
 Saliva testing
by: LK

I have only had serum blood test done for estradiol and progesterone but would like to do saliva testing. I know it is best to test around day 21/22 with my 28-day cycle; can I still test on these days if I am taking progesterone on those days? Or will my test results be inaccurate?

Thanks!
Nov 27, 2011
 Saliva testing
by: Wray

Hi LK I'm so sorry about the late reply, I don't know how I missed it. Having a saliva test while using progesterone will give you your current levels. I don't advise stopping to see what it drops too, you're obviously using it to help with adverse symptoms. These will come back if you do. You might be interested in the Saliva Tests we run. We do a before and after test. Your blood test will give you some idea of what it was. Take care Wray
Nov 27, 2011
 When to do test
by: Wray

Hi Belinda Apologies for this very late reply. Yes you can still have a test done, 3-4 days is not too bad a variation. The test should be done ±7 days after ovulation or before bleeding, ie mid-luteal phase. Take care Wray
Dec 01, 2011
 Saliva testing
by: Wray

Hi LK I'm so sorry about the late reply, I don't know how I missed it. Having a saliva test while using progesterone will give you your current levels. I don't advise stopping to see what it drops too, you're obviously using it to help with adverse symptoms. These will come back if you do. You might be interested in the Saliva Tests we run. We do a before and after test. Your blood test will give you some idea of what it was. Take care Wray

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Hormone balance.

Share this page:
Find this page helpful? Please tell others. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Search over 8,400 pages on this site...