Cortisol Test/DHEA

[littlepotofjelly]

Hi all,

Have a test kit for saliva testing for adrenal function (cortisol levels) that I ordered from Medi-checks. A few questions before I use it if that's okay:

1. I've seen some things suggest that you should stay off any supplements etc. beforehand - does anyone know which ones and for how long you should avoid them?

2. What about things like tea/coffee?

3. The kit I ordered does not test for DHEA (only cortisol) and I note that often these 2 seem to be done together. Is there a reason for this? Does not getting the DHEA at the same time matter? Medichecks do not seem to offer the combined option and the process of getting results seems much easier from them than Genova.

Thanks for any advice

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

littlepotofjelly Dr Myhill's articles about interpreting the adrenal stress profile test might explain why DHEA is important as well as cortisol

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Adrenal...

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Common_...

I wouldn't say that ordering the test from Genova isn't easy. The only difference is that you have to say ThyroidUK is your practioner and let TUK know you have ordered it so they can send you the results.

Supplements that would affect results of the adrenal test are any that affect hormones such as progesterone cream (maybe the pill or other hormone type contraception, I don't know), any adrenal support that you may already be taking (NAX or Adrenavive for example). Personally I would leave all other supplements off for 48 hours, there may be no need but that is what I would do. Why don't you contact Medichecks?

Are there no instructions with your Medichecks test kit? Genova have an instruction leaflet that tells you what 'drugs and herbs' can influence hormones, and it tells you to drink only water in the hour before collecting each sample plus not drinking alcohol for 12 hours before or during the day of your test, etc. Click on this link then on "kit instructions" for further information

gdx.net/uk/product/adrenal-...