Ive just received a copy of my saliva cortisol/dhea test. My results are as follows
Cortisol sample 1 11.19 (7.45 - 32.56) range
Cortisol sample 2 15.75 (2.76 -11.31) range
Cortisol sample 3 8.44 (1.38 -7.45) range
Cortisol sample 4 4.09 (0.83 -3.86) range
Dhea sample 1 0.55 (0.25-2.22) range
Dhea sample 2 0.77 (0.25-2.22)
So 3 of my cortisol samples are high apart from the morning one.
Dhea within range. But does anyone know if dhea levels could do with improvement? Or as long as they're within range? Does anybody have any information or advice regarding this at all please?
Sorry a bit perplexed by the results. I thought my cortisol might come back high so no surprises there
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ChristinaT
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ChristinaT. Can I ask you where you ordered your tests from? I am wondering whether do do mine and didn't know who was best, Blue Horizon who Health Screening Blue. Sorry to jump in on your post.
It was ordered from genova diagnostics via Dr Petefield. You can also order saliva adrenal testing via smart nutrition but I don't know if it measures dhea on that, or whether the tests are exactly the same. I think it's still issued and analysed via genova diagnostics tho.
There is a link at the top for a pdf of all the tests they offer, the 24 hour adrenal saliva test is END01. You have to order through TUK as a 'practioner' is required, Genova don't deal direct with the public. You can email or ring Genova quoting the TUK code which is on the Genova Testing page. When you return the samples to Genova fill in the form on that page (under How To Get Your Results) so that TUK can forward the results on to you by email when they receive them.
ChristinaT I was reading something today (sorry, didn't bookmark the site) about DHEA needing to be about half way or so within the range. I definitely think yours could do with improvement. When I did my adrenal test, I had the first 3 samples of cortisol at the high end of the range, only the 4th one was in the middle. My DHEA was very low Sample 1, and under range Sample 2.
Check out what Dr Myhill has to say about adrenal test results:
Thank you so much for the info. I thought my dhea levels could do with maybe being a bit higher, but I just wasn't sure whether it's something I should or shouldn't do, but now you've confirmed it, I think I will look into it. Have you managed to decrease your cortisol levels? What has been your approach to your results (if you don't mind me asking?) I know there's a lot that can be done to improve cortisol levels but I really don't know much for the opposite 😕. Do you have Cushing's syndrome or anything that's been identified as a cause to your elevated cortisol?
Hi ChristinaT No, I don't have Cushings. I had my adrenal test done as part of a Menopause test, and because the menopause test needed interpreting I had to find a hormone specialist to help me.
Everything was taken into consideration (adrenal pattern, virtually no sex hormones) and from my consultation it was apparent that my high in range cortisol was caused by 'stress'. But as I am not a stressy person (quite laid back, don't worry, retired and not committed to schedules, etc.) my stress appears to be caused by many years of very poor sleep, plus long term hypo which, although treated, I was still symptomatic. I was recommended a supplement regime that would address the high in range cortisol and very low DHEA.
I've not yet repeated any of the tests, I am five months into the supplement routine and will be doing a test within the next couple of months when the budget allows.
Look into adaptogenic herbs. There are quite a few. One of my supplements is a combination of three of them. I've also got my vitamin and minerals up to their optimal levels (except ferritin, struggling a bit with that), and tweaked my thyroid meds (now taking a T4/T3 combo). It's all helping.
I suppose all the hormones are interlinked aren't they. With yourself being meonpausal it's not surprise your sex hormones were virtually non existant. I think a lot of problems can stem from menopause because of the massive change.
I think you being told "stress" is almost a bit of a cop out isn't it. I think a person knows when they're stressed or not.
Thank you for recommending looking into adapotogenic herbs. I will definitely look into this in the future. My hands are a bit tied with taking anything at all at the moment as I suffered terribly from taking a vitamin a few months ago, so until I can definitely confirm or rule out an official adrenal or pituitary problem. I'm too scared after that incident at the moment, but in time I definitely will once I know where I stand. Thank you so much
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Saliva test results could it be cushings? 
