Salivary Hormone Testing in Sacramento, CA
Hormones govern nearly every function in your body — from metabolism and energy to mood, sleep, and sexual health. When they’re out of balance, you feel it in every area of your life. At Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center in Sacramento, CA, we use salivary hormone testing to measure your bioavailable hormone levels with greater accuracy than standard blood tests can offer. Call (916) 446-2591 to schedule your consultation.
FREE 15 Minute ApptWhy Salivary Hormone Testing?
Hormones are the chemical messengers that tell your body how to operate at the cellular level — regulating everything from growth and food metabolism to sexual function, mood, and stress response. When hormones fall out of optimal balance, the effects ripple through every system in the body.
At Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center, Dr. Godby prefers salivary hormone testing over conventional blood tests because saliva measures the free, bioavailable (unbound) hormone levels — the fraction of hormone that is actually active in your tissues and cells. Blood tests, by contrast, primarily measure total hormone levels (including protein-bound fractions that are not biologically active), which can mask meaningful deficiencies or imbalances.
This distinction is critical when evaluating conditions such as adrenal fatigue, perimenopause, andropause (male menopause), low libido, mood disorders, and chronic fatigue — all of which are frequently missed or underestimated by standard blood hormone testing.
Hormones We Test
Our salivary hormone panels can assess a comprehensive range of hormones, including:
- Cortisol — The primary stress hormone; often tested at multiple points throughout the day to evaluate adrenal function
- DHEA — A precursor hormone linked to energy, immunity, and aging
- Estradiol, Estrone, Estriol — The three estrogens important for female health, bone density, and cardiovascular function
- Progesterone — Key for menstrual cycle regulation, sleep, and mood
- FSH & LH — Pituitary hormones that regulate reproductive function
- Testosterone & Androstenedione — Critical for energy, libido, and muscle mass in both men and women
- DHT — Dihydrotestosterone, relevant to hair loss and prostate health
- Insulin — For evaluating metabolic health and blood sugar regulation
- Total Secretory IgA — An immune marker reflecting gut and mucosal immunity
We work with industry-leading labs including Doctor’s Data, DiagnosTechs, and Sanesco to ensure accurate, reliable results.
Who Benefits from Salivary Hormone Testing?
Salivary hormone testing is particularly valuable for patients experiencing:
- Fatigue, low energy, or difficulty recovering from stress
- Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
- Sleep disturbances and insomnia
- Weight gain, especially around the abdomen
- Low libido or sexual dysfunction
- PMS, irregular periods, or perimenopause symptoms
- Signs of andropause (male menopause)
- Thyroid-related symptoms alongside adrenal concerns
Salivary hormone testing can be paired with our ThyroFlex thyroid testing, neurotransmitter testing, and comprehensive functional diagnostic testing for a complete picture of your hormonal and metabolic health.
Call (916) 446-2591 to schedule your salivary hormone testing consultation at Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center in Sacramento, CA.
Frequently Asked Questions About Salivary Hormone Testing
What is salivary hormone testing and why is it better than a blood test?
Salivary hormone testing measures the free, bioavailable (unbound) hormone levels that are actively working in your tissues — rather than total hormone levels, which is what blood tests typically measure. Because only free hormones have biological activity, salivary testing provides a more accurate picture of what your body is actually experiencing. Dr. Godby at Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center prefers saliva testing for conditions like adrenal fatigue, perimenopause, andropause, and mood disorders for this reason.
What hormones are tested in a salivary hormone panel?
Depending on your health concerns, we can test for cortisol (at multiple time points), DHEA, estradiol, estrone, estriol, progesterone, FSH, LH, testosterone, androstenedione, DHT, insulin, and total secretory IgA. Your naturopathic doctor will recommend the most appropriate panel based on your symptoms and health goals.
What symptoms indicate a possible hormone imbalance?
Common signs of hormonal imbalance include fatigue, sleep disturbances, mood swings, anxiety, depression, low libido, weight gain (especially around the abdomen), brain fog, PMS, irregular periods, and hot flashes. In men, symptoms of andropause (male menopause) — such as declining energy, muscle loss, and reduced sex drive — are also linked to hormone shifts. If you’re experiencing any of these, salivary hormone testing at Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center can help identify the root cause.
Is salivary hormone testing appropriate for men?
Absolutely. Salivary hormone testing is valuable for both men and women. For men, it is particularly useful in assessing testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, and DHT levels — hormones that play a key role in energy, metabolism, mood, and sexual health. Dr. Godby has written about andropause (male menopause) and the importance of addressing declining hormone levels naturally.
How do I prepare for a salivary hormone test?
Preparation instructions vary depending on the specific panel ordered. Generally, you’ll need to avoid eating, drinking (except water), brushing your teeth, and using certain medications or supplements for a period before collection. Your naturopathic doctor will provide detailed preparation instructions. Cortisol testing typically involves collecting multiple samples throughout the day to capture your natural diurnal rhythm.
How is salivary hormone testing different from blood hormone testing?
Blood tests primarily measure total hormone levels — which includes both bound (inactive) and unbound (active) hormones. Salivary tests measure only the free, unbound fraction that is biologically available to your cells. This makes salivary testing especially useful for evaluating conditions where total levels may appear normal on a blood test, but actual tissue levels are insufficient. Combined with our broader functional diagnostic testing, this gives us a much more complete picture of your hormonal health.
What happens after my salivary hormone test results come in?
Your results will be reviewed in detail with one of our naturopathic doctors at Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center. Based on your hormone profile, we’ll create a personalized treatment plan that may include nutritional support, botanical medicine, lifestyle modifications, and — where appropriate — bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Call (916) 446-2591 to schedule your consultation.