Female Saliva Hormone Profile II (LC-MS/MS)

Test ID: S-140 | Sample Type: Saliva | Technology: LC-MS/MS | Results Time: 3–5 Working Days After Laboratory Receives Sample | Laboratory: ZRT Laboratory – CLIA Certified | Hormone Specialist Doctor Interpretation: Included | Suitable For: Adults and Children | Collect Sample At Home: No Clinic Visit Required

What Does This Test Measure?

Saliva — Expanded Female Hormone Panel (LC-MS/MS): Estradiol (E2), Progesterone, Testosterone, Morning Cortisol, Noon Cortisol, Evening Cortisol, Night Cortisol.
7 markers — extending the core female sex hormone assessment with a full 4-point diurnal cortisol curve, revealing how HPA axis function and stress are shaping reproductive hormone balance, cycle regularity, and adrenal health throughout the day.

Related Symptoms

Irregular, heavy, or painful periods, PMS including mood swings, bloating or breast tenderness, perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms including hot flushes and night sweats, low libido, persistent fatigue or low energy despite adequate sleep, anxiety or emotional instability, poor sleep quality or night waking, afternoon energy crashes, evening anxiety or racing thoughts, weight gain particularly around the abdomen, fertility concerns, burnout or chronic stress, or feeling hormonally off despite normal standard blood test results.

Did You Know?

Cortisol and progesterone compete for the same hormonal precursor — pregnenolone. Under chronic stress, elevated cortisol at any point in the day directly reduces progesterone synthesis, independently of ovarian function. A 4-point cortisol profile is the only way to identify whether elevated noon cortisol is driving afternoon progesterone suppression, whether elevated evening cortisol is preventing the progesterone rise that supports sleep and luteal phase stability, or whether elevated night cortisol is driving insomnia and night sweats that are frequently attributed to oestrogen deficiency but are driven or compounded by adrenal dysfunction. This is one of the most clinically significant and routinely missed patterns in women’s hormonal health.

Who Should Consider This Test?

• Irregular, heavy, or painful periods
• PMS — mood swings, bloating, breast tenderness, or irritability
• Perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms — hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog, or low mood
• Low libido or reduced sexual responsiveness
• Persistent fatigue or low energy despite adequate sleep
• Anxiety, depression, or emotional instability
• Difficulty sleeping, night waking, or insomnia
• Afternoon energy crashes or mid-day fatigue
• Evening anxiety, restlessness, or difficulty switching off
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight, especially around the abdomen
• Fertility concerns or difficulty conceiving
• Burnout, chronic stress, or emotional exhaustion
• Currently on HRT or bioidentical hormones and wanting to monitor response alongside full cortisol rhythm
• Feeling hormonally off but told results are normal on standard blood tests

Why This Test Is Particularly Important for Women

• The 4-point cortisol curve reveals how HPA axis function shapes reproductive hormone balance across the full day — elevated noon cortisol suppresses afternoon progesterone; elevated evening cortisol prevents the progesterone and melatonin rise that supports luteal phase stability and sleep; elevated night cortisol drives insomnia and night sweats that are frequently misattributed to oestrogen deficiency alone
• Saliva LC-MS/MS measures free, bioavailable estradiol and testosterone — the fractions actually driving symptoms; standard blood immunoassay measures total hormone including the protein-bound inactive fraction, which frequently masks clinically significant imbalances in women on HRT or with elevated SHBG
• The progesterone-to-estradiol ratio is the most clinically meaningful number in this panel — oestrogen dominance drives the majority of PMS, cycle irregularity, breast tenderness, and perimenopausal anxiety even when absolute estradiol appears within range
• Progesterone decline precedes estradiol decline by several years in perimenopause — and cortisol-driven progesterone suppression accelerates this decline independently of ovarian ageing; identifying this pattern is essential for directing the correct clinical approach
• Testosterone deficiency in women is systematically overlooked — low testosterone produces persistent fatigue, flat mood, reduced libido, and difficulty maintaining muscle tone; combined with the cortisol picture, it reveals whether adrenal depletion is contributing to androgen insufficiency

Not Sure Which Test Is Right for You?

Email us at info@hormonelab.co.uk with your gender, age, symptoms, medications, and any current treatments. We will forward your enquiry to our doctors and respond within 24 hours.

How It Works

1. Order your kit — delivered directly to your door
2. Collect four saliva samples across the day — morning (ideally 6–8am, within 30 minutes of waking), noon, evening, and night — following the detailed instructions; guidance on optimal cycle timing is included
3. Post your samples to ZRT Laboratory using the return instructions provided
4. Receive your full report by email within 3–5 working days

What You Receive

• Estradiol (E2), Progesterone, Testosterone, and 4-point Cortisol results with female life-stage-specific reference ranges
• Full diurnal cortisol curve graph
• Progesterone-to-estradiol ratio, cortisol–progesterone interaction, and oestrogen dominance assessment by a Hormone Specialist PhD Doctor
• Personalised next-step recommendations
• Laboratory fee included — no hidden charges

Why We Use ZRT Laboratory

All testing is performed by ZRT Laboratory — a globally recognised, CLIA-certified diagnostic laboratory founded in 1998 by Dr. David Zava, PhD. ZRT has performed over 11 million tests and is trusted by healthcare professionals in 96+ countries.

• Pioneers of at-home dried blood spot (DBS) and saliva hormone testing
• Advanced LC-MS/MS technology for clinical-grade accuracy
• Qualified for the CDC Hormone Standardization (HoSt) Program
• Personalised reference ranges based on age and sex

Through our partnership with ZRT Laboratory, Hormone Lab UK delivers internationally recognised, research-backed hormone testing to people across the UK and Europe — from the comfort of home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hormones does this test measure?
Estradiol (E2), Progesterone, Testosterone, and Cortisol at four time points (morning, noon, evening, night) — 7 markers providing a complete female hormonal and HPA axis assessment.

When should I collect my samples during my menstrual cycle?
Day 19–21 of your cycle (approximately 7 days after ovulation) is optimal for capturing progesterone and estradiol in context. Full timing guidance for irregular cycles, perimenopause, postmenopause, and HRT users is included in your kit.

Can I use this test if I am postmenopausal or on HRT?
Yes. This test is suitable for women at all life stages. It is particularly valuable for identifying whether adrenal dysfunction and cortisol dysregulation are contributing to symptoms that HRT is not fully resolving.

How does this differ from Female Saliva Hormone Profile I?
Profile I measures five markers including DHEAS and a single morning cortisol. Profile II replaces DHEAS with a full 4-point diurnal cortisol curve — providing complete visibility of how cortisol behaves throughout the day and its interaction with progesterone, estradiol, and adrenal regulation.

Does the price include the laboratory fee?
Yes. The full laboratory analysis fee is included. There are no additional charges. You are only responsible for posting your samples to the laboratory.

How long is the kit valid for?
The kit must be used within 12 months of the purchase date.