Men's Health Forum: This is a discussion on Blood Versus Saliva Testing within the Anabolic Steroids forums, part of the extensive steroid information at MESO-Rx; I have been doing a lot of research into blood versus saliva testing. Half of what I read says blood ...
I have been doing a lot of research into blood versus saliva testing. Half of what I read says blood testing is better and half says saliva. Here is my question....which is better and why do most say saliva for cortisol and dhea but blood for sex hormones. That makes absolutely no sense to me!! If one were better than it should be better for everything, right?
Here is why I ask. I have always been high total t and mid range free t on blood tests but I haev alwasy been low (out of range) free t on saliva tests. In addition, I have always been somewhat low E2 on blood tests but extremely high on saliva tests.
Up until this point I have taken the experts at this site at their word but I am starting to question the validity of saying one is better for this and another is better for that. Since it is subjective, where is the evidence? Some people swear by one and some people swear by the other.
I know that I DO NOT get morning wood, spontaneous erections, low libido and have too many symptoms to write down. Granted, I just found out (according to saliva tests.....I have Adrenal Fatigue and Low DHEA) and by blood tests I have mild Hypothyroidism. I am sure these two can be contributing factors BUT I want evidence that one or the other is better and not just "dont pay attention to this one for this or that one for that"
I would be interested in hearing about this too. People are pretty eager to parrot the "Saliva/blood tests are worthless for this hormone" line.
Although I have read a pretty good explanation from Mariano in the Adrenal thread about why 4x saliva test are best for cortisol. But I haven't read anything about why they are bad for sex hormones, and why blood tests are better.
I am shocked that with so much knowledge on here no one will explain why one is better than the other. As I have said I have seen compelling arguments for both and that was validated today when I made my first trip to see my new D.O.
This doctor is completely convinced that the saliva test is the way to go on everything because it is what is available at the tissue level. Here is my rub with that....as I mentioned I have always tested HIGH blood total t and mid range free t BUT have always been extremely low saliva free t. I know that the saliva has been consistent but dont know how accurate it is. The doctor wants me to start a bioidentical testosterone compound to get the saliva numbers up BUT I am hesitant with a natural 900 blood total t level. And after reading Dr. M's post a moment ago, and seeing HAN's response, I am even more reluctant since I starting an adrenal/thyroid protocol tomorrow.
If I am producing at such a high level, regardless of what is free, would it be crazy to take the chance of shutting down my natural production? In addition, I read that getting my thyroid back on track will actually increase my testosterone levels. Is that correct? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
i have few people doing salvia test urine test all same day..
waiting for results to put this puppy to rest. i have guys that are high in blood and low in urine so it be interesting what we get..
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HAN - Keep us informed bro.... Since I have oily skin, adult acne and so forth I know I have high testosterone but here is the thing. If at the tissue level it is low, as a saliva test suggests, wouldnt that mean the high t symptoms mentioned ie oily skin and acne not get TO THE TISSUE? That may sound a little crazy but I am a analytical type guy.
Seriously, keep me informed. I am not going to start the topical until you post the result. I was just reading over some of Marianco's old posts and found where he said he did not think testosterone was a problem if total blood t is over 600..regardless of what free levels are. The guy is much smarter than me so I am going to have to take him at his word!!
HAN - Keep us informed bro.... Since I have oily skin, adult acne and so forth I know I have high testosterone but here is the thing. If at the tissue level it is low, as a saliva test suggests, wouldnt that mean the high t symptoms mentioned ie oily skin and acne not get TO THE TISSUE? That may sound a little crazy but I am a analytical type guy.
Seriously, keep me informed. I am not going to start the topical until you post the result. I was just reading over some of Marianco's old posts and found where he said he did not think testosterone was a problem if total blood t is over 600..regardless of what free levels are. The guy is much smarter than me so I am going to have to take him at his word!!
All you know is that you have a oily skin and acne.
You know nothing about your testosterone levels until you tested them.
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Dr Marianco indeed mentioned totaltest of about 600 level.
My understanding was that with those test levels hi would not use external testosterone supplementation as a first move.
He would look at other health angles first because TT at those (600) levels is not a first priority for adjustments (but eventual supplemntation is not excluded).
All you know is that you have a oily skin and acne.
You know nothing about your testosterone levels until you tested them.
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Dr Marianco indeed mentioned totaltest of about 600 level.
My understanding was that with those test levels hi would not use external testosterone supplementation as a first move.
He would look at other health angles first because TT at those (600) levels is not a first priority for adjustments (but eventual supplemntation is not excluded).
Thank you for the clarification concerning Dr. M's response. I worded the oily skin and acne statement wrong...but from what I have read both are caused by high levels of androgens.
FWIW, one of my docs (no longer seeing him for this) wanted to put me on the T gel as well, basically saying that was the only option he had available to help me. My total T level is in the mid 700s (tested twice, blood test), and free-T on a saliva test is very low, 51, outside of the reference range for people my age (28): 60-110.
I said no thanks to the T gel. I do NOT want to risk shutting my T production down for life. No way.
I see a DO next week and am hoping to get some help with adrenal/thyroid, as I now think that is where my problems lie with very low cortisol (saliva test) and average daily body temps around 97.5.
The medical profession relies serum tests.
They didnt go to college for 4 years, med school for 4 more and residency for 6 more for just the fun of it.
Tested, tried and true.
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Better Living Thru Understanding Biochemistry
HAN, I just ordered a total t, shbg and albumin blood test from Labcorp. I am going down tomorrow morning to have the blood drawn. My results should be ready Monday afternoon and I will post them. Since the saliva test was within the last couple of weeks one would assume that my free t levels in saliva should be fairly close to blood.
Jansz, I hope that you can help me to pinpoint the level of free t since I believe you told me in an old post those are the three factors you needed. Will post results on Monday. If it is determined by your analysis that my free t is fine I dont plan on using the bioidentical test cream.
The pharmacy called me today to get approval to charge my debit card and I asked what had been prescribed and they told me either 1% or 1 mg. I am not sure. But if it is 1mg, isnt that really low? Thanks guys.
Blood Versus Saliva Testing 
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