Re: Salvia vs. Serum tests

[Guest guest]

Theoretically, both types of tests are accurate for their own

respective purposes. However, discrepancies have been noted to occur

regarding free testosterone blood test results & testosterone in

saliva samples (which is " free " /active). Men sometimes report

mid-range free T via blood results & below range testosterone via

saliva tests.

From the meager info I've read about saliva tests & reports from men

here (such as Phil) & elsewhere, it seems saliva tests are not well

suited for reproductive hormones. However, according to others who've

posted here, saliva tests do seem useful for measuring cortisol

(perhaps because it tracks levels 4 times in one day?)

In reference to your values jumping around, are you still on Androgel?

How many months have you been on it?

~Xian

>

> My endo in Seattle only uses Serum tests for T. I am thinking of

> going to a doctor here in Phoenix who uses Saliva tests for a bunch of

> hormones. What do people think about these two types of testing? I

> certainly have had some trouble with the values in the serum tests

> jumping around. I also see on the internet that you can order these

> saliva tests by yourself. Of course you would need a doctor to

> prescribe things.

>

[Guest guest]

> >

> > My endo in Seattle only uses Serum tests for T. I am thinking of

> > going to a doctor here in Phoenix who uses Saliva tests for a bunch of

> > hormones. What do people think about these two types of testing? I

> > certainly have had some trouble with the values in the serum tests

> > jumping around. I also see on the internet that you can order these

> > saliva tests by yourself. Of course you would need a doctor to

> > prescribe things.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Men on Androgel tend to do well (if they see improvement) during the

first 3 weeks, during which they are still producing their own

testosterone in addition to the gel. After that point, their own

production of T shuts down & Androgel is their only significant source

of T. Androgel tends to elevate testosterone to the 500-700 ng/dL

range depending on how much one uses. Other factors include 1) poor

absorption due to a) skin thickening (which testosterone itself can

cause) & /or relative pH, & 2) estradiol conversion (which Androgel

tends not to due to its favoring conversion to DHT). High & low

estradiol can kill wood.

If lab tests show Androgel isn't absorbing well, you might want to

give shots a try. They can be cheaper.

~Xian

> > >

> > > My endo in Seattle only uses Serum tests for T. I am thinking of

> > > going to a doctor here in Phoenix who uses Saliva tests for a

bunch of

> > > hormones. What do people think about these two types of testing? I

> > > certainly have had some trouble with the values in the serum tests

> > > jumping around. I also see on the internet that you can order these

> > > saliva tests by yourself. Of course you would need a doctor to

> > > prescribe things.

> > >

> >

>