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Saliva Testing Who tests salivary hormone levels? Big C currently recommends ZRT Laboratory for salivary hormone testing. Saliva samples are collected in the home and mailed directly to the lab. At your request, Big C will work with you and your physicians to review the testing results and to make appropriate recommendations for your hormone replacement therapy. Which hormones should I have tested? Big C currently recommends that female patients test estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and AM Cortisol. In addition, patients with multiple cortisol related symptoms may want to consider morning and evening cortisol testing. Do I need a prescription to complete saliva testing? A prescription is not required to complete saliva testing. However, if you would like to bill the testing to insurance, a prescription must be submitted along with your saliva sample. The prescription must specify an order for saliva testing and the hormones to be tested along with the ICD-9 diagnostic code, a copy of the front and back of your insurance card, and the signed ZRT Insurance Authorization form. Please read the next question... Will insurance pay for my saliva testing? Testing is covered by several insurance companies, but not by all insurances or plans. ZRT will bill some insurances directly, including Medicare, Cigna Healthcare, Aetna, and United Healthcare. In the event that your insurance company does not cover the entire cost of your test, you are responsible for any remaining balance. If your insurance does not cover any of the testing, ZRT will bill you directly for the retail price of $45 per hormone tested. How much does saliva testing cost? You may obtain a test kit free of charge at Big C. Big C will assist you in mailing your test kit to ZRT Laboratory. Test Series I, which contains the top 5 recommended hormone tests, costs $150. You will pay ZRT Laboratory directly for these tests. Should I stop taking my hormones before testing? It is not required that patients stop taking their hormones before testing. Testing allows patients to evaluate dosages and the need for changes in therapy. However, some synthetic hormones will not be revealed through saliva testing and may alter the results. If patients are stopping hormones before testing to determine a baseline level, patients need to wait 4-6 weeks before testing. As a note, patients should not take any hormones or use any facial creams within 12 hours of collecting saliva. Talk to your pharmacist and your physician before discontinuing any current hormone replacement therapy. Any current hormone usage can be taken into consideration when reviewing the saliva test results. When do I collect my saliva? Postmenopausal patients can collect saliva any day during the month. Pre-menopausal and peri-menopausal patients should collect between days 19-21 of their menstrual cycle (counting the first day of your period as day 1). Saliva should be collected within the first two hours of awakening. DO NOT EAT, DRINK, BRUSH YOUR TEETH, OR FLOSS YOUR TEETH PRIOR TO COLLECTING SALIVA. Wash your hands to prevent any contamination. Rinse your mouth out twice with water to clean your mouth, and begin collecting saliva in the tube. Test tube must be filled between half and three-quarters full. If you are collecting an evening cortisol level in test tube 2, collect the second sample at bedtime (no food or drink within 2-3 hours of testing). What do I do with my sample? Return the test kit, along with your enclosed sample, to Big C to be shipped to ZRT Laboratory. When will I get my test results? If you receive your test kit from Big C, you will receive a copy of your test results within 2-3 weeks from the date mailed. Big C will also receive a copy of your results. What do I do with my test results? You, your physician, and your compounding pharmacist can communicate to prepare a responsible recommendation for your hormone replacement needs. Big C offers individual consultations to review your history, symptoms, and hormone levels in order to prepare a letter of recommendation for your physician. Big C Pharmacy utilizes ZRT Laboratory for its saliva testing supplies. Following are some links to information provided on ZRT's website. Click on a link to find out more: |
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