Bioidenticals and Saliva Testing

I need some info from you, Sisters. Have any of you ever had a saliva test for your levels? The techs I talked with today told me that after one follows a strict diet for one day, then submits the swab, then this particular saliva test can accurately reflect hormone levels for a month, versus the doc's blood tests, which only reflect the daily levels. I wonder if this is true, might it be useful preop for a baseline? If it is true, why didn't my doc suggest it? What do you all think ?

Also, the techs informed me that the bioidenticals that they can compound are better for the body (vs. Synthetic) but they didn't know the base for the estrogen. Anyway, is this a path worth exploring?

Saliva tests are very controversial. Many years ago, I thought that was the way to go, but turns out that the results were not very useful and were not in line with my symptoms. Today, my doctor prefers to test via bloodwork. I have found that the results pretty much are in line with my symptoms.

Testing pre op really isn't going to be useful post op. Your post op hormonal needs can be totally different than what your pre op levels read. And many of our pre op issues can be due to hormonal imbalances so we certainly would not want to duplicate those levels.

IMHO, saliva tests are not worth the money.

Thanks Kim! Yes, the saliva test the pharmacy recommended was like $180, and I agree whole heartedly that I do not want m current hormone situation duplicated. So what are your feelings about the bioidenticals? Have you tried them and what do you think? Thanks so much for being here!! Tuesday is fast approaching, and I feel like the closer I get to my date, the more new things arise for me to think (worry) about.

I've never had saliva testing done, but I do know that the bloodwork I had done showed that my hormones were fine when I felt AWFUL & had horrible insomnia & night sweats, so I don't really trust bloodwork either!

I've been on bioidentical progesterone cream (compounded) for about 8 years before my TVH on Oct.15. It's been a life saver for me, as I just kept getting sicker & sicker on artificial hormones. It's a really personal choice though, & I know that it doesn't work for some people. Just remember, if you do decide to go bioidentical, they take time to work (about 6 weeks initially), so give them time. You also have to experiment with dosage & when you take it, so be patient...

My advice: Be very wary of any doctor recommending saliva testing. As I learned in researching a book on the anti-aging industry, there is no scientific reason to believe saliva testing is accurate. And many doctors that recommend those tests are getting kickbacks from the labs they're referring you to--a sure sign that saliva testing may be more of a cash cow than an actual useful diagnostic tool.