Test ID: S-141 | 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 — Comprehensive Female Hormone Panel (LC-MS/MS): Estradiol (E2), Testosterone, DHEAS, Progesterone, Morning Cortisol, Noon Cortisol, Evening Cortisol, Night Cortisol.
8 markers — combining the core female sex hormone and adrenal assessment with a full 4-point diurnal cortisol curve, revealing how HPA axis function, stress, and adrenal reserve are shaping reproductive hormone balance, cycle regularity, and overall hormonal 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?
DHEAS and the 4-point cortisol curve together reveal the complete adrenal picture that neither marker alone can provide. DHEAS reflects cumulative adrenal reserve — the long-term capacity to produce oestrogen and testosterone precursors from the adrenal glands, which becomes the primary source of sex hormone production after menopause. The 4-point cortisol curve reveals the daily HPA axis rhythm — where cortisol is elevated or deficient and when. Together they identify whether adrenal dysfunction is driving sex hormone decline from chronically depleted DHEAS, from cortisol-driven pregnenolone steal at specific times of day, or from both simultaneously — a clinical distinction that changes the appropriate intervention entirely and is entirely absent from standard GP blood panel assessment.
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 and wanting to monitor response alongside the full cortisol rhythm and adrenal reserve
- 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 rise supporting luteal phase stability and sleep; elevated night cortisol drives insomnia and night sweats frequently misattributed to oestrogen deficiency alone
- DHEAS combined with the full cortisol curve reveals whether adrenal dysfunction is acute (time-point specific, cortisol-mediated) or cumulative (reflected in reduced DHEAS baseline) — a distinction invisible from either marker alone and essential for directing adrenal versus ovarian clinical support
- 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
- Testosterone deficiency in women is systematically overlooked — combined with the DHEAS and cortisol picture, it reveals whether adrenal depletion is the primary driver of androgenic insufficiency rather than ovarian decline
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
- Order your kit — delivered directly to your door
- 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
- Post your samples to ZRT Laboratory using the return instructions provided
- Receive your full report by email within 3–5 working days
What You Receive
- Estradiol (E2), Testosterone, DHEAS, Progesterone, 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 adrenal reserve 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), Testosterone, DHEAS, Progesterone, and Cortisol at four time points (morning, noon, evening, night) — 8 markers combining core female sex hormone and adrenal assessment with the full daily cortisol curve.
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.
How does this differ from Female Saliva Hormone Profile I?
Profile I measures estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEAS, and a single morning cortisol — 5 markers. The Comprehensive Profile replaces single-point cortisol 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.
Can I use this test if I am postmenopausal or on HRT?
Yes. This test is particularly valuable for postmenopausal women and those on HRT wanting to assess how the full cortisol rhythm and DHEAS adrenal reserve are interacting with sex hormone levels and residual symptoms.
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.
