ZRT Hormone Saliva Test Kit (Male)

This at-home saliva test measures five hormones in men: free testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, DHEA-S and morning cortisol. Saliva measures the bioavailable fraction, meaning the portion actually available to your tissues rather than bound to carrier proteins.

Why a testosterone number on its own often does not explain the symptoms

Most men who test hormones test testosterone. It is the obvious one, and from the mid-40s onward it typically declines. ZRT calls that shift andropause, the male counterpart to menopause.

But two things in ZRT's own material explain why a testosterone number alone frequently does not match how someone feels.

Estradiol changes the meaning of your testosterone number. Estradiol is an estrogen and men make it. Too much of it relative to testosterone suppresses testosterone receptors in target tissues. In healthy young men testosterone is high and estradiol is very low. With age that ratio shifts. ZRT puts it directly: even when testosterone levels are normal, symptoms can reflect a functional testosterone shortfall because of the effect of higher than normal estradiol.

There is a mechanism behind it. Fat tissue produces aromatase, which converts testosterone into estradiol. Rising estradiol then prompts the liver to make more SHBG, which binds testosterone more tightly than it binds estradiol, lowering circulating free testosterone further. So weight gain and a falling free testosterone level feed each other.

Cortisol can suppress testosterone production. As part of the stress response, cortisol prepares the body for fight or flight and in doing so temporarily shuts down processes that are not immediately needed, testosterone production among them. ZRT notes that some practitioners find testosterone therapy of little benefit unless cortisol is addressed first, and that this highlights the need for a complete hormone profile before starting any hormone replacement.

That is the argument for a five-hormone panel rather than a single number, and it is ZRT's argument, not ours.

What each hormone is here for

• Testosterone. The primary marker of male hormone status. Produced in the testes under the control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, so problems higher up that axis affect it too.
• Estradiol. Tested because the testosterone-to-estradiol ratio, not testosterone alone, often explains symptoms.
• Progesterone. Present in men at much lower levels than in premenopausal women. It is a cortisol precursor, and some men supplement it topically, in which case a salivary level is useful for monitoring.
• DHEA-S. An adrenal androgen and a precursor to other hormones.
• Morning cortisol. A snapshot of adrenal output at the time of day it is normally highest.

Why saliva rather than a blood draw

Steroid hormones in the bloodstream are largely bound to carrier proteins, and in that bound form they are not available to your tissues. Saliva testing measures the unbound, bioavailable amount. ZRT's position is that because of this, saliva relates more closely to symptoms of excess or deficiency, and is a good option for monitoring hormone therapy.

Practically, it is also non-invasive, done at home, and avoids the brief cortisol rise a needle stick can cause.

Two collection rules from ZRT's own guidance

Do not brush your teeth before collecting. Oral injury can put blood into the sample, and the assay is sensitive enough that it matters.

Saliva profiles do not include thyroid hormones. If thyroid is what you want to look at, this is not the kit.

If you use a sublingual hormone, this is not the right test for you

ZRT states that saliva testing is not appropriate for sublingual hormone users, because the hormone contaminates the sample directly, and that blood spot testing is the preferred option for these patients.

Flourish compounds sublingual hormones, so we would rather tell you this before you order than after your result comes back unreadable. Call 405-751-3333 and we will route you to the right method.

Who this test isn't for

A wellness and monitoring tool, not a diagnostic test, and not a replacement for evaluation by your physician. It does not diagnose any condition.

Why order from Flourish

Flourish is a compounding pharmacy that makes hormone preparations. That means two things for you. We can read a hormone panel, and we have an obvious interest in you buying one, so we will tell you plainly when a supplement or a different test is the better answer.

An optional review with a pharmacist or nutritionist is available once your results arrive. No appointment is required to receive them.

What's in your kit

At-home saliva collection materials with full instructions, and prepaid shipping to ZRT Laboratory. Results are typically ready in about two weeks.

Frequently asked questions

What does a male saliva hormone test measure?
Five hormones: free testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, DHEA-S and morning cortisol.

Is a saliva testosterone test accurate?
Saliva measures the free, bioavailable fraction rather than the total. ZRT's position is that this relates more closely to symptoms than a total level does, and that saliva is a good option for monitoring hormone therapy. It is a different measurement from a serum total testosterone, not a worse one.

Why does a men's hormone test measure estrogen?
Because the ratio matters. Too much estradiol relative to testosterone suppresses testosterone receptors, and symptoms can appear even when testosterone itself reads normal.

Can I test my hormone levels at home?
Yes. This kit is collected at home with a saliva sample and prepaid shipping to ZRT Laboratory. No doctor's order is needed to buy it or to receive your results.

Do I need to fast or prepare?
Collect in the morning and do not brush your teeth beforehand, because oral bleeding can affect a sensitive assay. Full instructions are in the kit.

Does this test include thyroid?
No. ZRT's saliva profiles do not include thyroid hormones. If thyroid is your question, call us and we will point you at the right panel.

Can I use this if I am on testosterone therapy?
It depends on the form. If you use a sublingual preparation, saliva is not the right method for you and ZRT recommends blood spot instead. For other forms, call 405-751-3333 and tell us what you use before you order.

How long do results take?
About two weeks after the lab receives your sample.

How is this different from the Advanced Saliva Hormone and Cortisol Panel?
Same five hormones. The Advanced Panel measures cortisol four times across the day instead of once, so it shows your cortisol rhythm rather than a morning snapshot.

Still not sure whether this is the right test?

Tell us what you are actually trying to find out and we will tell you which test answers it. Contact the Flourish team or call a pharmacist at 405-751-3333. You can also explore our Men's Hormones resources and the Hormone Vitality Program.

Based on testing performed by ZRT Laboratory.

The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated these statements. Flourish-supported products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

• Tests Testosterone, DHEA & Cortisol
• Evaluates Estradiol & Progesterone Balance
• At-Home Male Saliva Hormone Panel