Unhappy with cortisol saliva test supplier

I hope it's OK to leave a critical review online; I thought it might be of interest for others considering ordering saliva hormone tests.

I ordered the following test a few weeks ago:

verisana.co.uk/hormone-test...

First, I received a sex hormone saliva kit so had to contact the supplier who apologised and sent me the right kit (with seven containers instead of three).

I collected the saliva on a Sunday, kept the samples in the fridge as instructed, and posted them on Monday morning in the enclosed, international postage paid envelope addressed to a lab in Germany. According to the instructions, samples should be posted on a Monday to make sure they arrive at the lab before the weekend.

Then, I waited...and waited...and waited for the results and the enclosed medical report.

Yesterday, I received an email from the supplier telling me that, unfortunately, my saliva samples were too old for a DHEA test(!), but that they would be happy to send me a new test kit free of charge.

I replied I did not order a DHEA saliva test but a diurnal cortisol test. The reply I got was: "Oh, sorry, we must have made a mistake". Then they kept apologising, telling me that, unfortunately, my saliva samples were too old by the time they arrived at the lab...first of all, I live in a neighbouring country so delivery shouldn't take that long to Germany. Secondly, according to the instructions provided with the test kit, saliva samples that have been kept refrigerated can be shipped from any European country, so I fail to understand how my samples can have been too old...if that were indeed the case, that should apply to anyone who is not in Germany and overnight delivery cannot be guaranteed.

Since they already screwed up twice, I told them to issue a full refund instead. Which they did almost immediately, thank God.

But I feel I cannot recommend this supplier, and would advise people considering a saliva hormone test to order it elsewhere.

[StitchFairy]

Interesting that they have a co.uk web address but a non UK phone number. That makes me suspicious.

[Hidden in reply to StitchFairy]

Yes, I saw that,too...plus they use a lab in Germany rather than the UK.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I've not heard of that company but Wow! £150 for just cortisol!

I always use Regenerus which is £83 and tests both cortisol plus DHEA (both are needed for a full picture). Also, for Regenerus, and I think Genova Diagnostics (although it's a long time since I did one of theirs), you freeze the samples and they are transported back in a polystyrene box for insulation with a frozen ice block to keep the samples frozen. I think they used to send them to the US to process the test, maybe they still do, but I've never had a failed test.

regeneruslabs.com/products/...

They offer this test internationally so it might be worth you having a look

regeneruslabs.com/pages/shi...

[Hidden in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for the tip, SeasideSusie, this company really does feel more trustworthy!