To Spit or Not to Spit....that is the question....some doctors and natural medicine doctors are asking these days.

If you follow my blog you'll know that I have recently had my hormones tested through my saliva.  This is the third time I've had saliva hormone tests over 8 years - this is the first time I specifically asked for it. More often, I have had blood tests but mostly I've filled out symptom charts and had discussions with my doctor to indicate what is happening with my hormone levels.

There is some debate over whether saliva or blood is the best way to measure hormone level or whether testing is even necessary at all! Just try googling saliva vs blood hormone testing and you'll see what I mean!  One expert says saliva is the only accurate way, another says blood serum levels and then you read a blog that says neither is necessary because the patient's symptoms tell the whole story! Wow, talk about confusing!

I'm going to try to sort through the confusion for you and let you know what I think (I'm not a doctor or a naturopath!) but I've read alot of opinions on this subject. I'm curious from a patient perspective to know which is the preferred method and if I'm just wasting my money on a saliva hormone test.   I'm a critical thinker so at first glance I doubt the issue is as black and white as some would suggest, but rather there must be features that are attractive with both types of testing.
<h1>Saliva Hormone Testing vs Blood Testing</h1>
<strong>Cost:</strong>
<ul>
	<li>In Canada provincial health care doesn't cover saliva hormone tests &amp; neither do most extended health insurance companies</li>
	<li>In the US most insurance companies don't cover saliva tests</li>
	<li>The cost at Canada's only lab is approximately $250</li>
	<li>Blood tests for most hormone tests in Canada are covered, although I just paid out of pocket $60 to check my testosterone blood levels</li>
</ul>
<div><strong>History:</strong></div>
<div>
<ul>
	<li>Hormones have been tested through Saliva for 30+ years and much data has been gathered by reputable labs in North America on thousands of women mostly during specific days of their cycles.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div><strong>Collection:</strong></div>
<div>
<ul>
	<li>Saliva tests are non-invasive and are done at home following the instructions in the test kit.</li>
	<li>Blood tests are invasive and done under labratory conditions</li>
</ul>
<strong>Test Tubes:</strong>
<ul>
	<li>saliva hormone test kits include plastic tubes which research have been shown to leech estrogen-like compounds into the sample possibly altering the test results.</li>
	<li>I called around to some local labs out of curiousity and they advised that they also use plastic tubes to collect blood for hormone testing.  Wouldn't the estrogen mimicking compounds also affect blood test results in the same way it would affect saliva tests?</li>
</ul>
<div><strong>Saliva Levels and Blood Levels:</strong></div>
<div>
<ul>
	<li>I've read a study that says blood serum levels change such as in pregnancy and in older adults so they say that saliva is better.</li>
	<li>I've read a report that says certain medications decrease saliva production which may change the concentration of "free" hormone in the saliva.</li>
</ul>
<div>In my view the medical community still seems unable to make up their own mind as to which method is preferable.  One well-respected holistic doctor says saliva hormone tests are a waste of time but his I can't find anywhere on his website why he feels that way - he doesn't back it up. Other well-respected women's health websites that I follow say saliva testing is still the preferred method.</div>
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Here's a You Tube Video of Dr. Erika - Just so you know - <strong>I love her</strong>!

In this video Dr. Erika says she teaches her patients to "learn how they feel" and "learn how to comunicate how they are feeling to her" and then she can be a better doctor!  She reveals she doesn't treat blood tests, she treats her patients.  A blood test is a snapshot in time and we are <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>alive and dynamic!</strong></span>  You are the one who determines the kind of care you get!  What you demand from your doctor - <strong>what you get from your doctor is reflected by you actually put into the relationship!</strong>  This is the reason learning about your body is so important.  Your doctor will respect you - my doctor and I have a great relationship because we actually DISCUSS my care. He respects me (I believe) for understanding and listening to my own body!  He knows my fears and he knows that while he may not need to see test results it is about <strong>MY</strong> comfort level!

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<div><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rxXpYENsIwI" frameborder="0" width="450" height="240"></iframe></div>
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Here's the way I feel about the benefits of saliva hormone testing.
I personally like Dr. Erika's style and belief - she believes in listening to her patients and their symptoms. That feels intuitive to me. If you read my post "The Price of Spit" you should have got the impression that my own doctor has a similar style to Dr. Erika.

That being said, there is a certain comfort level in the fact that my doctor is validating my symptom checklist by looking at both saliva and blood results.  In fact, my recent symptoms really seem to point to estrogen deficiency but in actual fact my estrogen is only slightly low but my progesterone is very high.  According to the lab that completed my tests and analysis - my progesterone level is higher than expected for someone taking transdermal progesterone cream. So it gave us a good look at the picture and we could discuss my symptoms along with the results.