Hi everyone,
I was wondering if doctors admit saliva testing for cortisol levels? I hear it's done over a period of a day? meaning 1 testing in the morning, 1 in the afternoon, 1 after work (maybe?) and 1 when you go to sleep? Am i wrong? Do doctors do it differently (not talking about blood; but saliva)? Thanks for the help.
I did a saliva test to check all my hormones plus cortisol levels.
I did it all at home and posted the kit back to the lab. I gave my first saliva sample at 6am, then 12noon, then 6pm and 10pm. I was told to put my samples in the freezer as i completed them. I was quite impressed with the test as it was the first time i got a true indication of where i was hormone-wise as well.
Mine came back as low cortisol and my other hormones were all messed up too. I'm now on cortate tablets for the low cortisol and they have taken away so many of the bad symptoms i was suffering in my head.
To retest my cortisol levels my doctor now gets me to do an early morning blood test.
I did a saliva test to check all my hormones plus cortisol levels.
I did it all at home and posted the kit back to the lab. I gave my first saliva sample at 6am, then 12noon, then 6pm and 10pm. I was told to put my samples in the freezer as i completed them. I was quite impressed with the test as it was the first time i got a true indication of where i was hormone-wise as well.
Mine came back as low cortisol and my other hormones were all messed up too. I'm now on cortate tablets for the low cortisol and they have taken away so many of the bad symptoms i was suffering in my head.
To retest my cortisol levels my doctor now gets me to do an early morning blood test.
I wish they did these tests in Oz
Can I ask Audrey...what sort of symptom were you suffering 'in your head?' Do you mean physical or mental/emotional? My head is pretty much all over place at the moment. When I feel really anxious my thoughts are vile. Luckily I do know that thats all they are, thoughts, but it still doesnt make it any easier at times.
I'm seeing a new doc next week and am hoping I get my cortisol and all other hormones tested then
__________________
Rach xxxx
Total Thyroidectomy Oct 06 due to Massive Multi Nodular Goiter and Hashi
Adrenal Fatigue
180mg NTH
28mg HC
2 x Caltrate
I am in Australia, but regardless of where you are, every doctor has a preference regarding tests. My doctor believes the saliva test to be better than a blood test. I think even some naturopaths can organise these types of tests.
I basically felt foggy in the head, extreme tiredness, felt like i'd been hit by a bus and that shouldn't ever have gotten out of bed. Once i began taking some cortisol most of it either went away completely or there was a huge improvement.
I am in Australia, but regardless of where you are, every doctor has a preference regarding tests. My doctor believes the saliva test to be better than a blood test. I think even some naturopaths can organise these types of tests.
I basically felt foggy in the head, extreme tiredness, felt like i'd been hit by a bus and that shouldn't ever have gotten out of bed. Once i began taking some cortisol most of it either went away completely or there was a huge improvement.
Now I didnt realise you were in Australia too!
I was actually talking about the tests you can order online (I assumed thats what you meant), to do at home, that I cant find in Australia - but good to hear that you found a doctor who does the saliva tests. The new doc I'm seeing next week in Sydney I 'believe' tests via a blood test, but I'll certainly ask her about the saliva tests.
__________________
Rach xxxx
Total Thyroidectomy Oct 06 due to Massive Multi Nodular Goiter and Hashi
Adrenal Fatigue
180mg NTH
28mg HC
2 x Caltrate
tygwyn - my doctor used ARL Laboratories which are located in Melbourne and have been around for a long time and do specific forms of testing. I find the forms of testing they do quite interesting and never knew these types of tests even existed. There is info on the net about them. My doctor told me that various types of practitioners use the types of tests provided by this lab. Everyone from gp's, specialists, naturopaths, chiropractors, osteopaths, herbalists, pharmacists etc.
I still think majority of doctors find it easiest to fill in a blood test request on one of those lab slips and send you off. 3 of the tests i did were quite complex and you get your instructions and do it all at home. My doctor did explain it, but it's not as easy as a basic blood draw, but worth the results. Some of the tests you don't even get a Medicare rebate and you have to claim them on your end of financial year tax return instead. I think the hormone saliva test and the complete stool analysis test were worth the money, even if i never got a cent back.
tygwyn - my doctor used ARL Laboratories which are located in Melbourne and have been around for a long time and do specific forms of testing. I find the forms of testing they do quite interesting and never knew these types of tests even existed. There is info on the net about them. My doctor told me that various types of practitioners use the types of tests provided by this lab. Everyone from gp's, specialists, naturopaths, chiropractors, osteopaths, herbalists, pharmacists etc.
I still think majority of doctors find it easiest to fill in a blood test request on one of those lab slips and send you off. 3 of the tests i did were quite complex and you get your instructions and do it all at home. My doctor did explain it, but it's not as easy as a basic blood draw, but worth the results. Some of the tests you don't even get a Medicare rebate and you have to claim them on your end of financial year tax return instead. I think the hormone saliva test and the complete stool analysis test were worth the money, even if i never got a cent back.
Thanks for that Audrey - I'll look them up. I'd happily pay to get any beneficial tests done too, no problem about that at all.
I've just got some labs back and started a new thread on it actually - its the SHBG thread - I dont suppose you know anything about that test do you?
__________________
Rach xxxx
Total Thyroidectomy Oct 06 due to Massive Multi Nodular Goiter and Hashi
Adrenal Fatigue
180mg NTH
28mg HC
2 x Caltrate
Hi tygwyn - posted a reply to your SHBG thread. sounds like us hypothyroidies tend to get lower SHBG levels while the Hyper's get the higher SHBG. Should have known!! We get everything!!
Hi tygwyn - posted a reply to your SHBG thread. sounds like us hypothyroidies tend to get lower SHBG levels while the Hyper's get the higher SHBG. Should have known!! We get everything!!
We sure do!!! Thanks for the reply in the other thread - you're a mine of useful info young lady
__________________
Rach xxxx
Total Thyroidectomy Oct 06 due to Massive Multi Nodular Goiter and Hashi
Adrenal Fatigue
180mg NTH
28mg HC
2 x Caltrate
Hi tygwyn - posted a reply to your SHBG thread. sounds like us hypothyroidies tend to get lower SHBG levels while the Hyper's get the higher SHBG. Should have known!! We get everything!!
We do...it sucks doesnt it!!
__________________
Rach xxxx
Total Thyroidectomy Oct 06 due to Massive Multi Nodular Goiter and Hashi
Adrenal Fatigue
180mg NTH
28mg HC
2 x Caltrate
