Indications

The more of these symptoms and the more persistent they are, the higher likelihood for adrenal fatigue (acute stress):

Long term /chronic stress effects:

• Overeating

• Sleeplessness

• Storing belly fat

• Weakend immune reserves

Overview

Saliva testing for DHEA and diurnal cortisol levels at 4 time points during the day is a comprehensive test that can assess full adrenal function. It can be used for

identifying adrenal imbalances caused by too much or too little hormone, match tested hormone levels with symptoms to help individualize a treatment plan, retest to monitor and adjust treatment as needed or track progress with follow-up test reports.

The difference between stress we can handle, and stress that gets out of hand – stress vs. distress – marks the difference between adrenal balance and imbalance. The latter occurs when mental, physical or emotional stressors call our adrenal glands to action too often or in a sustained manner, which eventually may lead to adrenal fatigue. Cortisol’s main impact on the immune system is double-edged. Acute stress sends white blood cells to their battle stations to pump up our defenses against disease. Chronic stress weakens immune reserves leaving us vulnerable to illness, inflammation, and any virus that comes along.

Practical

Specimen requirements:

Saliva

Average processing time:

21-28 days

Research

• "A Pilot Study Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Cortisol Awakening Response and Health Outcomes Among Law Enforcement Officers." Christopher MS, Goerling RJ, Rogers BS, Hunsinger M, Baron G, Bergman AL, Zava DT. J Police Criminal Psych 2015;31:15-28.

• "Female social and sexual interest across the menstrual cycle: the roles of pain, sleep and hormones.” Guillermo CJ, Manlove HA, Gray PB, Zava DT, Marrs CR. BMC-Womens Health 2010; 10(19):1-10.

• “Physical Competition Increases Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and Androstenedione rather than Testosterone among Juvenile Boy Soccer Players.” McHale TS, Zava DT, Hales D, Gray PB. Adaptive Human Behavior & Physiology, 2016;2:44-56.

• “Pilot study: absorption and efficacy of multiple hormones delivered in a single cream applied to the mucous membranes of the labia and vagina.” Glaser RL, Zava DT, Wurtzbacher D. Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation 2008; 66(2):111-8.