The test measures key hormones related to women’s health, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, cortisol, and other important biomarkers. This comprehensive analysis helps identify hormone imbalances that may affect mood, energy, sleep, and overall well-being.
Your kit should include a saliva collection tube, a blood collection card, two lancets, alcohol wipes, and a bandage. Before you do anything, make sure to activate your kit by scanning the QR code and following the instructions. You’ll need to collect both your saliva and blood samples between 7 and 9 AM on the same day.
For a step-by-step walkthrough, you can watch this short video: How to collect your samples
Saliva Collection
Collect your saliva within 30 minutes of waking up. If you’re menstruating, collect your sample on day 19, 20, or 21 of your cycle. If you’re not menstruating, you can collect it on any day. Avoid using anti-aging or anti-wrinkle products for 3 days prior. Do not eat, drink, or brush your teeth beforehand. When you wake up, rinse your mouth with water and wait 5 minutes. Let saliva pool naturally in your mouth and spit into the tube until it’s at least half full (not counting bubbles). This can take up to 30 minutes. Once finished, label the tube with your name, date, and time of collection.
Blood Collection
Try to collect your blood sample within an hour of waking, ideally still between 7 and 9 AM. About 30 minutes before collecting, drink 24 to 32 ounces of water. Get your blood flowing by doing light movement, like jumping jacks or walking around. Then run your hands under hot water for 2 minutes and shake them out for 30 seconds. Choose one of your ring fingers and plan to use the lancet on the side of your fingertip, not the center, since the center has more nerve endings. Before using the lancet, clean the area with an alcohol wipe and let it air dry. Twist the top off the lancet and press it firmly against your finger until it clicks. Wipe away the first drop of blood, then allow the following drops to fall directly onto each circle on the collection card. Two to three large drops per circle is usually enough. Avoid touching or smearing the card. If needed, stand and let your hand hang down to help blood flow. When done, apply a bandage and let the card dry for 30 to 60 minutes.
Shipping Your Samples
Once both samples are fully dry and labeled, place them in the biohazard bag, then into the original box or the prepaid shipping envelope. Make sure you know which shipping carrier to use and mail your sample the same day you collect it.
Yes. You should begin collection the next morning. Just rinse the tube with warm water (no soap), allow to air dry, and collect within 20-30 minutes after waking and before eating, drinking, brushing or flossing your teeth.
If saliva collection is difficult, here are a few tips that can help:
Hydrate well the evening before and the morning of your collection to encourage saliva production.
Let saliva naturally pool in your mouth for a few minutes before spitting, rather than spitting frequently. This helps reduce bubbles.
If your sample has a lot of bubbles, cap the tube and gently tap it on a hard surface to help disperse them.
If your mouth feels dry, try pressing your tongue against your teeth or the roof of your mouth, or smelling (not eating) lemon or other tart foods to stimulate saliva.
Do not chew gum, even sugar-free, as it can contaminate the sample.
If you're still unable to collect enough saliva in one sitting, cap the tube and store it in the refrigerator or freezer. You can add more saliva the next morning. It's okay to collect over multiple days. Just make sure the sample is complete within 3 days and the tube is at least half full (not including bubbles).
Yes, it's recommended to stop using anti-aging or anti-wrinkle creams at least 3 days before collection. These products can contain hormone-like ingredients that may interfere with your test results. During this time, you can use gentle moisturizers that are safe for infants as an alternative.
Because oral contraceptives suppress natural hormone production, the timing of your sample is less critical. If you plan to stop taking oral contraceptives, wait for withdrawal bleeding, then test during your next natural cycle. We recommend collecting your sample on day 19 to 21 of your cycle.
If you do not have menstrual cycles
You can collect your sample on any day. This includes individuals with a hysterectomy, amenorrhea (absence of periods), or those who have had uterine or endometrial ablation.
If you have regular menstrual cycles
Collect your sample on day 19, 20, or 21, counting the first day of bleeding as day 1.
If you have irregular or unpredictable cycles
Collect your sample on any day you are not bleeding.
If your cycles are somewhat regular but not within a typical range
While most vitamins and general supplements don’t significantly alter lab results, you should still list all supplements, hormones, and medications you're taking on your requisition form. The following over-the-counter products can affect hormone levels and may impact your test results:
If you’re using topical hormones:
Continue using them as prescribed, but for more accurate results:
Special note on 7-Keto-DHEA:
This supplement can cause falsely elevated DHEA and testosterone levels.
