Adrenal testing

Question 1

Serum testing

Answer 1

Serum testing of adrenal hormones is only good for picking up extreme abnormalities of function

Question 2

Salivary or urine testing

Answer 2

Salivary or urine testing of adrenal metabolites is much less invasive and can give a more nuanced view to adrenal function

Most salivary adrenal tests are four point testing (four samples taken through the day) — giving an overview of the daily curve.

• Main metabolites tested = cortisol and DHEA.
• We are looking for deviations outside of the normal daily curve — higher or lower, to ascertain what stage of the stress cycle someone is in.

Question 3

High readings of cortisol

Answer 3

High readings of cortisol may indicate someone is in an intense period of stress right now. Approach: Strategies to reduce stress and cortisol levels