Questions regarding the Adrenal Saliva Test

[Rachel357]

I have ordered the Genova Adrenal Saliva test and would like to do it this week, but I have been taking a zinc supplement and also drank liquorice tea a couple of times in the past week. Does both of these affect the Adrenal Saliva test? I wasn't sure whether to wait a week before I take it. Thanks.

[Bramble83]

I wouldn’t have thought either would affect cortisol results. What makes you think you may have an adrenal problem?

[Rachel357 in reply to Bramble83]

I did an adrenal saliva test last year and my cortisol was over range on a couple of the readings. Also, my DHEA level was a bit low. I started taking NDT a couple of months ago and I haven't been getting on too well with it and I think it's because of my adrenals.

I remember on the first adrenal test I did (it was the Genova Comprehensive Adrenal test), it said in the instructions not to take Liquorice root seven days prior to the test. On my new test (Adrenal Stress Profile) it doesn't mention not taking liquorice root. On the 'Stop The Thyroid Madness' website it lists zinc and liquorice root as supplements which can affect the cortisol test, but I'm not sure if the tea would really have that much affect and have never heard of zinc affecting it before. I'm just worried about it as the test is so expensive but I really want to do it soon.

[humanbean in reply to Rachel357]

Here's an alternative list of things which affect adrenals - obviously it is likely to have an awful lot in common with the STTM list :

rt3-adrenals.org/does_it_af...

[Rachel357 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you. I think I better leave it a week before doing the test.

[Howard39 in reply to Rachel357]

Hi

Zinc acutely and temporarily inhibits adrenal secretion.( for at least 4 hours of taking it)

I’ll check the link when I am home. I think it’s:-

ncbi.nim.nih.gov > pubmed

[Rachel357 in reply to Howard39]

That's really interesting, thank you.

[Valeriu]

I'm about to do amy first 4 point saliva test (with Medichecks) and enquired with Smart Nutrition and the lady there also mentioned Steroids & some herbal supplements could affect the saliva / cortisol test....I use Flixonase nasal spray (which has a tiny amount of steroid in it) . Hope I receive an email which I await from her to see what other things can affect the test (I was taking DGL Licorice lozenges for 6 weeks previously) and Zinc in my Whole food supplement

[Howard39 in reply to Valeriu]

Are you having dhea tested as well?

[Valeriu in reply to Howard39]

No I'm not Howard....However I tested most of the hormones this year...

[Howard39 in reply to Valeriu]

It is so important to have it tested as you will only have half a picture regarding your adrenals.

Low dhea and high cortisol is the most common group of issues.

Medichecks do test it albeit separately.

Mine was 0 so sorting it out made a big difference.

If you check your temperature with a basal thermometer say 4 times a day and take the average any differential of more than 0.2/3 indicates an adrenal deficiency.

See drrind.com.

[Valeriu in reply to Howard39]

Thanks for telling me this Howard; Do I wait to get DHEA tested at same time or is it OK to test the cortisol first and then DHEA a few weeks later ? Thanks

[Howard39 in reply to Valeriu]

Hi

They should be done together

Best wishes

[Valeriu in reply to Howard39]

Ok Thanks

[Valeriu in reply to Howard39]

Just DHEA or DHEA sulphate? Thanks

[Howard39 in reply to Valeriu]

Hi

You need saliva dhea which sadly medichecks does not do.

Regenerus or Genova do them both. As I recall Regenerus is circa £88 for all 5.

Really sorry about that.

[Valeriu in reply to Howard39]

Sorry Howard When you say all 5 does that include the 4 point saliva test? Medichecks has: DHEA and DHEA sulphate separate to the 4 point cortisol test...I checked before I wrote my previous message... I've got the 4 point saliva test a few days ago from Medichecks but I can probably cancel it ... I'll be doing a thyroid finger prick test with them in December .

Thanks Elly

[Howard39 in reply to Valeriu]

Hi

It’s not a saliva test tho as far as I am aware. They are blood tests.

Genova does a single saliva dhea test but you’d have to go through thyroid uk and have them receive your results or have it authorised by a specialist/ Doctor.

Most people paying themselves use Regenerus who do the dhea and saliva.

[Valeriu in reply to Howard39]

Sorry Howard : Am I understanding you correctly? Does Regenesus do the DHEA test via the saliva test? If so will definitely order from them ; Otherwise it's a little more difficult for me to organise to do them all on same day (if I have to have a blood test for DHEA) I spoke a few times with Regenesus and rung again but they closed at 4.55pm ; Thanks a lot;

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Valeriu]

Butting in (sorry Howard)

Regenerus adrenal test - 4 x saliva samples does 4 x cortisol plus 1 x dhea test

This is the one that I do

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/r...

[Howard39 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi

Yes that’s what I mean.

Only Genova do the separate dhea saliva test.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Howard39]

Howard39

I knew you knew, if you see what I mean

I was giving Valeriu a link to the Regenerus test so she could see that everything would be included in the test and how to order it. I should have tagged her in the post to show the reply was mean for her. Sorry for confusion

[Valeriu in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks a lot SeasideSusie; Just spoken to Regenesus and will order a test shortly as it's all done thru' saliva as Howard said ; Thanks a lot

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Valeriu]

Valeriu

When you order your test, remember to mention Thyroid UK, as mentioned in the link I gave, then a donation is made to TUK.