Who to use for 4 point cortisol saliva test? - Thyroid UK

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Who to use for 4 point cortisol saliva test?

FancyPants54 profile image
18 Replies

Hi

Can anyone recommend me where to get one of the above test kits please?

Also, has anyone had Reverse T3 test done and if so, where did you buy the test? I know it's controversial on here, but nevertheless, if you know where they are available I'd be grateful.

Thanks.

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FancyPants54
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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

FancyPants54

For the adrenal test either Regenerus or Genova Diagnostics, they both test cortisol plus DHEA. Testing DHEA as well as cortisol helps with determining stages of adrenal fatigue. In the initial stage, both cortisol and DHEA will be high, the more we struggle to produce stress hormones then DHEA will lower, and more advanced adrenal fatigue then cortisol will lower too. My simple explantation, more info out there to research if you want to.

I use Regenerus because they contact you direct when results are available, Genova send them to ThyroidUK who then send them on to you once you've given your consent.

Details of both companies: thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

If you use Regenerus, put ThyroidUK in the "practioner" box when ordering.

No idea who is currently doing reverse T3 testing but it really is pointless, it's very expensive and takes a long time as the sample is sent to the US. It can tell you if you have raised rT3 but can't tell you why and there are many reasons for raised rT3, only one of which is to do with the thyroid and looking at FT4 and FT3 levels will tell you that anyway.

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply to SeasideSusie

Thanks SeasideSusie. I will go for the test that comes direct to me. I used to do them regularly in the dim and distant past but as nothing I did at the time made any difference to the highs and lows I gave up on them. I don't really want one now, but need it for an upcoming consultation. I just couldn't remember the name. I think I did the one that goes to the practitioner in the past, which made sense at the time, but I don't need that now.

I know about the RT3 test, again it was requested for the consultation, but I don't think I have time to get it anyway. I will have to try to get my GP to do an 8am cortisol test, which is another option on the list, but not the preferred option.

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply to SeasideSusie

SeasideSusie , I've just thought of something that's bothered me before about these tests. I don't live a conventional life in that I'm never in bed before 1am, often more like 1:30 or 2am. And so I don't get up early either. I set the alarm to wake at 8 to take my thyroid meds and then go back to sleep for an hour at least. The joy of working for myself, I can indulge my life-long night owl status. But will that cause issues with this 4 point test? I seem to recall the samples are to set times, but my body clock won't be at the point they expect during a set time frame. Do you think that's important?

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply to FancyPants54

I think you should ask Regenerus how to deal with that. And once you've got an answer perhaps you could let us know in a reply because it is a question that crops up fairly often.

My sleeping hours are erratic and I would describe myself as a life-long night owl too. When things get really bad I am sometimes asleep all day and awake all night. :( I hate being like this because society often thinks night owls are lazy. And there are days when I want to go for a nice walk in summer in the early morning but I'm (almost) always asleep.

Thalia56 profile image
Thalia56 in reply to FancyPants54

Having read SeasideSusie ’s response to you, I’m now second guessing my recent choice of Cambridge Nutritional Sciences, who are also on the Thyroid UK page. The main reason I chose them was because they offer am and pm DHEA results, while all the other labs I looked at seem to have moved to one result, averaged.

CNS also don’t have set times for the tests, which might resolve your issue re timings; they ask you for first sample on waking, second after 30 minutes and third after 60 to test cortisol awakening response. Fourth sample is 6-8 hours later, then final one just before bed. I looked at the results some people had shared before deciding to go with them, and their reference range changes depending on the time of day the sample was taken, ie someone whose bedtime was 10pm was given a different range from someone at 11.30.

All of that said, I don’t really understand these things and would be very hesitant to recommend somewhere when much more knowledgeable members recommend elsewhere. Maybe someone who does understand can chime in (and I really hope I haven’t made a wrong decision as I couldn’t really afford the test but was desperate).

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply to Thalia56

I've not heard of a cortisol test like that. Interesting. Thank you for alerting me to the possibility.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

But will that cause issues with this 4 point test? I seem to recall the samples are to set times, but my body clock won't be at the point they expect during a set time frame. Do you think that's important?

I've been asked this question before but to be honest I have no idea. It would be worth ringing Regenerus and asking, the lady who answers the phone seems very helpful.

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply to SeasideSusie

OK. Good suggestion from you and Humanbean. I will.

Me1157 profile image
Me1157

I agree with most of what's been said, except for the reverse T3 - I think it's important, and probably helps detirmine your overal stress level. I was told by an endo that the reverse T3 - is done so they can see how much regular T3 your body is actually making. As both T3 and reverse T3 look the same in a standard test - if your body is under stress it's likely to be producing too much reverse T3 and not enough regular T3 and the relationship between Free T4 and Free T4 is important to your overal thyroid health. At the time I was living in the states and that was the reasoning for testing the reverse T3 - make sense?

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply to Me1157

I can see what you are saying. I'm not sure it's what we would be looking for. I have issues with the Dio enzymes I think. I know I have a problem with Dio2, which means I'm not able to reliably convert FT4 to FT3. And given what happens to me when I increase or decrease a dose and they hold it for a few days, it's looking increasingly like I might have an issue with Dio3 converting FT4 into rT3. Even some of the FT3 could be converted to T2 by the same process. Even though I have reduced my Levo dose by 50mcg a day now and increased T3, I'm not seeing the results I need to have. Something is still blocking uptake. We will be able to see some of that from standard results, but I think a test might help. However, looks like they are taking forever right now and it's really expensive. I could do without the cost now I've looked.

Thank you for explaining your reasoning for it though. It's all helpful.

Me1157 profile image
Me1157 in reply to FancyPants54

That's one of the reasons ( I was told) that ppl need the reverse T3 testing...so you can see how much T4 - is converted into T3 and reverse T3 as...the reverseT3 isn't actively helping your thyroid like regular T3 and unless it's tested for.....you won't really know if your T4 is being converted into reverse T3. I am also a poor converter from T4 to T3. Our bodies maybe able to use the reverse T3 a little but it's no substitute for the regular T3's. if you do the testing a couple of times, you'll know for sure, what type of T3 your body is converting from the T4. This is the main reason I eneded up on amour thyroid (NDT). Once my stress levels reduce and my thyroid meds were balanced, my reverse T3 problem went away. I still test it from time to time to be sure.

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply to Me1157

I'm on combo Levo and T3. The T3 has very little effect and my FT4 results are very low so something is happening to it. rT3 is the likely culprit. But I've just lowered my Levo to 75 and so far no different.

Me1157 profile image
Me1157 in reply to FancyPants54

So sorry to hear that, you are right and probably making too much reverse T3, like I was

JAmanda profile image
JAmanda

RT3 available from Blue Horizon.

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply to JAmanda

Yes, I found it. Fell of my chair at the cost.

Rock_chick1 profile image
Rock_chick1 in reply to FancyPants54

Did you get the test done? How did you get on and did you go to Blue Horizon in the end?

FancyPants54 profile image
FancyPants54 in reply to Rock_chick1

No, I decided not to at this stage. It's just too expensive.

JAmanda profile image
JAmanda

Yes, crazy. I had it done once via Blue Horizon when it must have just been part of a bigger test pack.

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