saliva tests vs blood tests for hormones

HI,
I saw a new dr. the other day and she suggested saliva testing instead of blood tests. I currently use 2 pumps of estrogel per day plus testosterone cream each morning. I have gained a lot of weight in my stomach area - no where else and I have zero energy. Dr. feels that the saliva testing will show a better picture of levels, rather than the standard blood tests.
Anyone have any experience with saliva testing?
Thanks in advance.

Hi Anne

My hormone Dr uses saliva testing - she prefers it over blood testing - although some other Dr's would say the opposite - and others (including my usual GP) dont believe in any form of testing for us ladies in surgical menopause.

I have had a series of saliva tests done - whilst they havent helped me find my optimal level (because the range varies so much for each individual) - they did pinpoint/support the fact that I was initially suffering from estrogen overload.

Other ladies on here get blood levels done and find them useful - I am sure they will also post and let you know how it worked for them.

I've done both blood and saliva testing over the years. Blood testing was faster, covered by my insurance and tended to more accurately reflect how I felt at the time. Saliva testing cost more, took time (a couple of weeks from sampling to results, typically, partly because of mail turnaround time), and the results were not as helpful. In particular, if you use progesterone cream, saliva progesterone levels can come back way high - in the thousands, even - which is an artifact of the test that's known but not understood or talked about much. It did happen to me.

Bottom line, though, is that all the testing in the world can't replace good old trial and error and a good journal.

s,
-Linda

I agree - the saliva test is much better. I had it done and it showed that my estrogen (pre-hysterectomy) was at 14,000 durinv ovulation when it should have been 1000.

It allows the docs to see on a day to day basis just what is happening on a day to day basis