Research suggests saliva testing may offer a more accurate window into hormone levels than blood testing for women using topical hormones. Here's why: when topical hormones are absorbed through the skin, they don't get processed first through the liver, and many travel via the lymphatic system rather than the bloodstream. Because of this, topical hormones rarely show up in standard blood tests — in fact, it can take WAY too much of a hormone cream for topical hormones to register in a blood test at all.

Blood tests can only tell you the total amount of hormones in the body, both the bound and the unbound hormones. The unbound hormones are the relevant category — those are the hormones able to attach to a hormone receptor and become biologically active. Saliva testing is designed to capture that unbound fraction, which is what makes it a different tool than a standard blood panel.

This study, using over 300 women, found saliva testing to be a highly accurate method for measuring estrogen and progesterone levels — supporting its value as a testing approach for women navigating hormone changes.

Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1472648320305770

This article is for educational and general wellness purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are noticing changes in your body or have questions about your health, please consult a knowledgeable healthcare provider.