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MULTIPLE SALIVA SAMPLES |
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Question: Why are multiple saliva samples more useful than the single sample tests that are mass marketed? |
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Quick Answer: |
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Multiple saliva samples provide the ability to assess hormone fluctuations and erratic hormone
patterns, and provide more reliable information
about hormone function. |
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The best way to evaluate saliva hormone levels
during and after menopause is through the
collection and testing of at least three samples, so that variations and fluctuations can be evaluated. Multiple-sample assessment is required because unstable hormonal fluctuations have been observed years after
menopause 1. These hormonal fluctuations play a role in many of the symptoms
and problems associated with menopause
including migraine headaches, obesity, mood changes, and bleeding
irregularities in both perimenopause and postmenopause women 2, 3, 4, 5.
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Previous research, and clinical
experience, has revealed that reliability can be increased by using more that one measurement6.
Realizing that saliva assays exhibit hormone
concentrations at the tissue level at a given point in time7, we
can recognize that making a decision about hormone levels based on one saliva
sample is not a valid conclusion. The ability to easily collect multiple
samples improves the efficiency of saliva tests. |
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Other
Benefits |
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Based on research published April, 2004, the
benefits of multiple sample assessment, over a period of days may be expanded
to the use of cortisol assessment. Multiple salivary cortisol samples were
obtained over a 6-day period from 47 outpatients with depression as well as
39 healthy individuals in their everyday environment (not in a hospital
setting). Cortisol output in depressed outpatients was less stable from
sample to sample, as evidenced by a significantly lower day-to-day
correlation than that observed in healthy individuals. Patterns were more
erratic in patients with more severe or recurrent episodes of depression8.
Researchers concluded that erratic cortisol secretion may be a significant
characteristic feature of dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal
axis in major depressive disorders than previously observed high cortisol
levels. With this new finding, we have even more evidence
that multiple sample assessment provides the most accurate information for
making significant healthcare decisions. |
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BOTTOM LINE: |
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Multiple samples
reveal the Pattern and the Fluctuation Index™ of each hormone |
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The ability of saliva to exhibit hormone
concentrations at the tissue level at a given point in time is both a
benefit, and a limitation of the test. By understanding this attribute of
saliva tests, we can use it to our advantage. Instead of avoiding the erratic
patterns and fluctuations of salivary hormones by just measuring one sample,
multiple sample assessment provides greater insights into functional
endocrinology. |
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Fluctuation Index™ is a unique feature of the Menopause
Type® Report, and is based on the research and findings of Dr. Joseph J.
Collins. |
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What this means to
you. |
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Women: Multiple sample assessment will
avoid the disadvantage of you being treated based on a single saliva sample. Knowing
that your hormones can fluctuate from day to day, it is not in you best
interest to have your therapies based on a single sample. In addition,
multiple samples provide an opportunity for fluctuation analysis. |
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Healthcare
Professionals: Multiple sample assessment provides more accurate clinical
interpretation of endocrine function, resulting in increased frequency of
positive patient outcomes. |
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Summary |
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Know and address the needs revealed by fluctuation
and pattern analysis – only available through multiple sample assessment. |
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References: 1) Overlie I, Moen MH, Morkrid L, Skjaeraasen JS, Holte A. The
endocrine transition around menopause--a five years prospective study with
profiles of gonadotropins, estrogens, androgens and
SHBG among healthy women. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1999
Aug;78(7):642-7 2) Fettes I. Migraine
in the menopause. Neurology 1999;53(4 Suppl
1):S29-33 3) Lovejoy JC. The influence of sex hormones on obesity
across the female life span. J Womens Health
1998 Dec;7(10):1247-56 4) Vliet EL, Davis VL. New perspectives on the relationship of
hormone changes to affective disorders in the perimenopause. NAACOGS Clin Issu Perinat
Womens Health Nurs
1991;2(4):453-71 5)
Johannes CB, Crawford SL. Menstrual
bleeding, hormones, and the menopausal transition. Semin
Reprod Endocrinol
1999;17(4):299-309 6) Dabbs JM. Salivary Testosterone Measurements: Reliability
Across Hours, Days and Weeks. Physiology & Behavior, 1990. Vol. 48. pp83-86. 7) Riad-Fahmy
D, Read GF, Walker RF. Salivary steroid assays for
assessing variation in endocrine activity. J Steroid Biochem.
1983 Jul;19(1A):265-72. 8) Peeters F, Nicolson NA, Berkhof J. Levels
and variability of daily life cortisol secretion in major depression. Psychiatry Res. 2004
Apr 15;126(1):1-13. For an expanded list of
references on Saliva Hormone Testing Please go to: |
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YourMenopauseType.com, Inc. |
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