Cortisol Saliva Results

[mistygrey]

Can anybody interpret these Cortisol Saliva results for me please?

Thank you

[humanbean]

Your results :

Sample 1 : 14.1 (6 - 21)

Sample 2 : 5.95 (1.5 - 7.6)

Sample 3 : 1.78 (0 - 5.49)

Sample 4 : < 1.5 (0 - 1.99)

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Optimal results for saliva cortisol are given at this link (see Example 1) :

rt3-adrenals.org/cortisol_t...

• Morning at the top of the range

• Noon approximately 75% of the range

• Evening close to 50% of the range

• Nighttime at the bottom of the range

***

We need to compare your results to the optimal results and see what comes out of it.

Sample 1 : Optimal = 21.00 --- Yours = 14.1 --- You produce 67% of the cortisol you should.

Sample 2 : Optimal = 6.075 -- Yours = 5.95 --- You produce 98% of the cortisol you should.

Sample 3 : Optimal = 2.745 --- Yours = 1.78 --- You produce 65% of the cortisol you should.

Sample 4 : Optimal = 0.00 --- Yours is < 1.5 --- The ref range for this is obviously very dodgy!

Totals : Optimal = 29.82 --- Yours = 23.33 --- You produce 78% of the cortisol you should.

***

Notes :

1) In producing the totals above I have assumed your real result for sample 4 is actually 1.5. I hate it when actual numbers aren't given, and instead they rely on less than or greater than for results.

2) The reference ranges for sample 3 and 4 are both dodgy. Both reference ranges include 0 in the range. But, personally, I think that having zero cortisol is only healthy for a corpse. I know the ranges aren't your fault by the way!

However, despite these reservations I shall carry on regardless.

***

You don't appear to produce enough cortisol at several times of day, although I can't be sure about sample four. However, your results are not dramatically low and you are not showing signs of having adrenal failure. With the right self help you should be able to improve the health of your adrenal glands and raise your cortisol.

***

A couple of useful links :

functionalmedicine.net/pdf/...

rt3-adrenals.org/

I think you need to take an adrenal glandular first thing in the morning, and you may need to take another dose around late morning, or early afternoon. Don't take glandulars after 1pm. The most popular ones I know of are Nutri-Adrenal and Nutri-Adrenal Extra (NAX). They were off the market for ages, but as far as I know are available again.

Some people take Adrenavive glandulars, but I don't know which one you ought to take. And of course there are other brands, but I don't know which ones are good. Look at Amazon for adrenal glandulars and read the reviews. One thing to be aware of is that some glandulars may contain adrenaline which causes a problem for some people.

procepts.eu/products/

the-natural-choice.co.uk/do...

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I haven't looked for recent nutrient test results in your past posts but you might not have optimal levels of some of them and need some vitamins and minerals to support your adrenal glands. Avoid multi-vitamins and multi-minerals (although a good B Complex is essential). Look for links on the subject of adrenal fatigue supplements.

adrenalfatiguesolution.com/...

You really need to take a substantial amount of vitamin C per day, preferably a minimum of 2 g per day, but more if you can cope with it without getting diarrhoea.

***

It is essential to reduce stress as much as possible and that includes physiological stress. So, keep nutrients optimal, but also work on getting your gut working as well as possible. Probiotics in high doses are good. You can make your own probiotics with food - things like water kefir, milk kefir and sauerkraut, for example.

traditionalcookingschool.co...

users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dn...

Eat regularly, don't miss breakfast, eat enough protein and fat, and drink an adrenal cocktail every day (if you can). Do a search for "adrenal cocktail" recipes and pick the one that appeals to you. I couldn't stomach the salt myself, but do try to get some down you.

Avoid big spikes and drops in your blood sugar, if at all possible. Cutting down on heavy sugar and simple carbs intake would help.

Go to this link : stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

scroll down to the section on "Adrenal Information" and read the links.

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When you do another saliva test, be aware that various supplements can affect the results - some things lower cortisol, and some will raise it - you have to find out which is which from the following lists.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

rt3-adrenals.org/does_it_af...

When I did saliva testing I decided to continue taking my 5-HTP (an over-the-counter anti-depressant) even though I knew it affected cortisol. I did not think it would be to my advantage to stop taking it for two weeks and getting very depressed. I made a slight mental adjustment to my results to take account of the fact I didn't stop taking 5-HTP.

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Edit : I forgot to mention Dr Lam's adrenal fatigue site. drlam.com/

Click on the menu options at the top of the page and read the links that you think might help - specifically "About AFS", "Recovery" and "Complications".

[Natalie55 in reply to humanbean]

Wow ! What a great information humanbean 😊

I am also looking to test my adrenals, which company would you recommend to test adrenals with correct ranges ?

[humanbean in reply to Natalie55]

I don't know of any companies that test with "correct" ranges any more, sadly. One company did a few years ago, but they must have got new equipment and the ranges changed. The only thing I know of that differentiates one company from another is whether or not they include a DHEA test as part of the package. The two companies that do this are Genova Diagnostics and Regenerus Labs :

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

For the above test read the "Additional Resources" as well as the Description, Analytes and Requirements. To order from Genova is different to ordering from other testing companies. They don't deal directly with the public, so you have to follow the instructions on "How to order" and "How to get your results" from here :

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

The other option is :

2) regeneruslabs.com/shop/prod...

And for info on how to order :

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[Natalie55 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you for all the info

[mistygrey in reply to humanbean]

Hi Humanbean,

Wow thank you for such an in depth detailed reply!

I really appreciate it. I can try and check with the company on the ranges and the reading for sample 4 as your right it didn't make much sense to me either!

I am getting most tired in the afternoons/evenings so maybe this would tie in with the lower Cortisol then.

I am having a blood test for Cortisol on Monday morning at 8 am first thing, will this still be required or do you think best not to bother now? I am also guessing it doesn't look likely I would have Addisons or Cushings with these readings?

Thanks again for your kind and detailed message

[mistygrey in reply to humanbean]

Would my afternoon levels be low enough to require treatment for low Cortisol? (From my Endo Hydro cortisone?)