Maybe you’re exhausted, yet the minute your head hits the pillow, your mind starts racing. Or you look in the mirror each morning and wonder if you’re imagining that your hair is thinning. Maybe your periods have gone off-script and your interest in sex has quietly disappeared.
And you’re left wondering what happened to the woman you used to be?
Those changes are not in your head, and they are not something you should just push through.
I’ve been writing about hormonal changes for years (in my best-selling books, Hot Times: How to Eat Well, Live Healthy, and Feel Sexy During the Change, and Before the Change: Taking Charge of Your Menopause), and I can tell you hormones are often part of the story, especially in perimenopause and menopause. They deserve a real look.
If you’re thinking about a hormone imbalance test, it helps to know what a panel can tell you and what it can’t. Poor sleep, thyroid trouble, and even certain medications can mimic the same symptoms, so your history matters just as much as the numbers. An at home hormone test offers a convenient way to collect a sample without a blood draw.
UNI KEY’s Salivary Hormone Test measures six hormones and includes a detailed laboratory report, along with my personalized nutritional and lifestyle recommendations. I’ll explain what those measurements can tell you, how saliva testing differs from blood testing, and when each may be useful.
What an At-Home Hormone Test Actually Measures
UNI KEY’s Salivary Hormone Test measures progesterone, estradiol, estriol, testosterone, DHEA, and morning cortisol. You collect saliva at home and mail it to the laboratory. Results include a letter from me with nutritional and lifestyle recommendations that you can discuss with your healthcare practitioner.
Those measurements describe the sample collected at that time. This panel does not measure thyroid hormones, insulin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), or luteinizing hormone (LH). It also does not include a full daily cortisol curve.
Saliva vs. Blood: Why the Method Changes What You Learn
A blood draw may be the first thing that comes to mind when you wonder how to test hormone levels. But for certain hormones, a saliva sample is another option. With UNI KEY’s Salivary Hormone Test, you collect that sample at home and mail it to the laboratory. Let me explain how the two methods differ and what each can tell you.
Here’s the difference I want you to understand. Some hormones travel through your blood attached to proteins. Others circulate unattached, or “free,” and are available to act on your tissues. Saliva hormone testing can reflect this free portion for certain hormones. Blood tests can measure total or free hormone levels, depending on the test ordered. [1,2]
Saliva also makes it easier to collect several samples throughout the day. This can be useful for looking at cortisol, which normally rises and falls with your daily rhythm. UNI KEY’s kit measures morning cortisol; it does not include a full daily cortisol curve. [3]
The accuracy of saliva testing varies by hormone and laboratory method. Cortisol has well-established uses in saliva testing, while hormones such as estrogen and testosterone are present in much smaller amounts and can be harder to measure reliably. [1,3]
Blood testing is generally better established for evaluating thyroid problems and reproductive conditions. Your practitioner can help you choose the method that fits your symptoms and decide whether further testing is needed.
If you use hormone replacement therapy (HRT), review your results with your prescriber. The Endocrine Society advises against using saliva results to customize compounded hormone doses. Further, you should never change your dose on your own. [4]
Which Hormones Matter Most, and What They Tell You
Each hormone has its own job, and the meaning of a measurement depends on your age, symptoms, medications and collection timing.
Estrogen. Estradiol is a major estrogen during the reproductive years. It helps regulate the menstrual cycle and supports tissues including bone. Estriol rises substantially during pregnancy; an estriol measurement outside pregnancy is not a stand-alone assessment of menopausal health. UNI KEY’s panel measures both forms, but neither number explains symptoms by itself. [5]
Progesterone. Progesterone rises after ovulation and helps prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy. A low value may be expected before ovulation or after menopause. If a practitioner is investigating ovulation, correctly timed blood progesterone testing is an established option. Your practitioner will interpret your progesterone level in light of your cycle timing and symptoms. [6]
Testosterone. Yes, women have testosterone, too! We produce much less than men, but it plays a part in our sex drive and helps maintain muscle and bone. If you’ve noticed a change in your sexual interest, energy, or hair growth, testosterone may be worth a look. I consider your level along with what you’re experiencing, because the number alone won’t explain every symptom. [7]
DHEA. DHEA is produced largely by the adrenal glands and can be converted into other sex hormones. Levels change with age. Salivary DHEA should not be confused with the blood DHEA-sulfate, or DHEA-S, test commonly used in medical evaluations. A low result is not, by itself, a reason to start a DHEA supplement. [8]
Cortisol. Cortisol is part of your body’s normal response to stress. It also helps regulate blood sugar, metabolism and blood pressure. Problems can arise when levels remain too high. Cortisol normally rises in the morning and falls later in the day. UNI KEY’s test measures your morning level, which I consider alongside your symptoms and health history when preparing my nutritional and lifestyle recommendations. [3,11]
Why Timing of Collection Matters
With UNI KEY’s Salivary Hormone Test, you are advised to collect your sample between 7 and 9 a.m., following the instructions included in your kit. Timing matters because cortisol normally runs higher in the morning and falls later in the day. Collecting during the recommended window helps the laboratory interpret your morning level. [3,11]
If you work nights or keep an unusual sleep schedule, call the girls at UNI KEY at 800-888-4353 before collecting. They can help you confirm the instructions for your schedule.
If you still have periods, check the kit’s directions for menstrual-cycle timing, too. Estrogen and progesterone change throughout the month, so when you collect can affect what your results mean. If your periods are irregular or you’re unsure which day to choose, call UNI KEY for guidance. [5,6]
During perimenopause, hormone levels can also vary from one day to the next. I want you to understand that your results show the levels in the sample you collected that morning. Your practitioner will consider them alongside your symptoms, cycle history, and any medications you take. [6]
How At-Home Collection Works, Step by Step
UNI KEY’s Salivary Hormone Test is simple to use. You collect your sample at home, then send it to the laboratory. [11]
- Read the kit’s instructions. Follow the directions for when to collect and how to prepare. Don’t stop prescription medications without your prescriber’s advice.
- Collect your saliva and complete the form. Include the requested information about your symptoms, medications and supplements.
- Mail your sample as directed. Follow the kit’s storage and shipping instructions.
Results generally arrive within two to three weeks, along with my nutritional and lifestyle recommendations. Share them with your practitioner to discuss what they mean for you.
Questions? Call the girls at UNI KEY Health at 800-888-4353. The test is available to U.S. customers; New York residents should ask about special collection requirements before ordering.
Reading Your Results Without Panicking
Seeing a number flagged “high” or “low” can be unsettling. I want you to pause before deciding what it means.
A reference range describes results found in a comparison group. Laboratories can use different methods and ranges, and appropriate comparisons may vary by age or life stage. A result outside the range does not automatically mean illness. A result inside it does not guarantee that everything is well. [10]
Start by checking that the report lists the correct collection time, menstrual status and medication information. Then bring it to your practitioner with your symptoms and questions. Was collection appropriate? Would repeating the test clarify anything? Is a blood test or another evaluation needed?
Avoid comparing saliva numbers with blood ranges found online. The samples, units and methods can differ. I also urge you to resist treating an internet “optimal range” as a personal prescription. Your practitioner needs to consider the whole clinical picture. [10]
What to Do With the Results
When you order a test from UNI KEY Health, your results come with a letter from me offering nutritional and lifestyle recommendations. Read them together, and share them with your healthcare practitioner to discuss how the findings relate to your symptoms.
If you’d like more personal guidance, I also offer private consultations. We can discuss your results, eating habits and health concerns in greater detail. Email [email protected] for information on scheduling. My nutritional guidance can complement the care you receive from your practitioner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does UNI KEY’s at-home hormone test measure?
UNI KEY’s Salivary Hormone Test measures six hormones: progesterone, estradiol, estriol, testosterone, DHEA and morning cortisol. You’ll receive an extensive laboratory report showing your levels and how they compare with the laboratory’s reference ranges, along with my letter offering personalized nutritional and lifestyle recommendations. I encourage you to share both with your healthcare practitioner.
Is saliva hormone testing accurate?
Yes, when it is done properly. Saliva testing can reliably measure certain hormones, and cortisol is the clearest example. Estrogen and the other sex hormones show up in much smaller amounts, so they take a more careful reading. That is why the laboratory method matters, and why the way you collect the sample matters too. Follow the instructions in the UNI KEY Hormone Saliva Test Kit carefully. A sloppy sample can muddy an otherwise useful result. Use what you learn alongside how you actually feel, and don’t change hormone replacement therapy from a number alone.
What is the best time of day to collect a hormone sample?
For UNI KEY’s Salivary Hormone Test, collect your sample between 7 and 9 a.m., following the instructions in your kit. If you work nights, have irregular periods or aren’t sure when to collect, call the girls at UNI KEY at 800-888-4353 for guidance. I want you to feel comfortable with the directions before you begin.
Do I need to stop taking supplements before testing?
UNI KEY recommends pausing Adrenal Formula and ProgestaKey for three to five days before collecting your sample. For questions about other supplements, call the girls at 800-888-4353 and follow your kit’s instructions. Keep taking prescription medications as prescribed unless your prescriber tells you otherwise.
Can I test hormones at home if I am on birth control or HRT?
Collection may be possible, but these products change hormone levels and affect interpretation. Tell the laboratory and practitioner exactly what you use, including creams, patches and dose timing. Do not stop birth control or HRT for testing on your own, or use saliva results to select a new dose. [4]
What should I do if my results come back abnormal?
Review them with your healthcare practitioner, along with your symptoms, medications and collection details. A flagged number may need confirmation with another sample or a different method. Avoid starting hormones or supplements solely to move a number into range. [10]
Sources and Further Reading
1. Comparing immunoassay and mass spectrometry techniques for salivary sex hormone analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2025. PubMed
2. Validation of an LC-MS/MS salivary assay for glucocorticoid status assessment. 2016. PubMed
3. MedlinePlus. Cortisol Test
4. Endocrine Society. Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
5. MedlinePlus. Estrogen Levels Test
6. MedlinePlus. Progesterone Test
7. MedlinePlus. Testosterone Levels Test
8. MedlinePlus. DHEA Sulfate Test
9. Mayo Clinic. Perimenopause Diagnosis and Treatment
10. MedlinePlus. How to Understand Your Lab Results
11. UNI KEY Health Salivary Hormone Test
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.