Test ID: S-124 | 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
What Does This Test Measure?
Saliva — Four Hormones (LC-MS/MS): Estradiol (E2), Testosterone (T), Progesterone (Pg) and DHEAS (DS).
This at-home panel provides four salivary hormone measurements, with laboratory reference ranges and specialist comments to help explain your results.
Testosterone and DHEAS are the measurements most relevant to androgen-related acne. Estradiol and progesterone add hormone information acne in men.
Related Symptoms
- Persistent acne with oily skin
- Acne on the face, back, chest or shoulders
- Acne that appeared or worsened after starting testosterone treatment or using anabolic steroids
These symptoms can involve androgen activity, but the location or severity of acne alone does not establish that hormone levels are high.
Did You Know?
Androgens influence the skin’s oil glands. Testosterone and substances formed from adrenal androgens can contribute to increased oil production, which participates in acne development.
However, acne can occur with hormone levels within the normal range because the skin’s sensitivity and local hormone processing also matter. This panel measures hormones in saliva; it does not measure DHT or androgen activity inside the skin.
Who Should Consider This Test?
Men seeking additional hormone information, particularly when:
- Persistent acne is accompanied by marked skin oiliness
- Acne began or worsened following testosterone or anabolic-steroid use
- A clinician has suggested investigating a possible hormonal contribution to acne
Persistent acne that has not responded to treatment also deserves a review of the diagnosis and treatment plan. Hormone testing is not routinely needed for every man with acne.
How Your Results Can Help Guide Your Next Steps
Persistent Acne and Oily Skin
Relevant measurements: Testosterone and DHEAS
Your results show whether these salivary measurements fall within the laboratory’s reference ranges. Specialist comments can highlight findings that deserve closer assessment.
How to use your results: Read the comments alongside your symptoms and medication or supplement history. If a result is unexpectedly high or low, a clinician may recommend confirmatory blood testing. Results within range still leave effective acne-treatment options available.
For everyday care, use a gentle cleanser twice daily, choose non-comedogenic skincare and avoid picking spots. The hormone results add information; they do not determine which acne product will work best.
Acne After Testosterone Treatment or Anabolic-Steroid Use
Relevant measurements: Testosterone and DHEAS, interpreted with your treatment history
Testosterone treatment and anabolic steroids can trigger or worsen acne. Record the exact products, doses and timing on your requisition form so the laboratory can interpret your measurements appropriately.
How to use your results: Share the report with your prescriber if you use prescribed testosterone. Discuss acne treatment and any necessary monitoring rather than adjusting your hormone dose yourself. Acne can often be treated without stopping prescribed testosterone.
Acne on the Back, Chest or Shoulders
Relevant measurements: Testosterone and DHEAS
These areas contain many oil glands and commonly develop acne. The measurements may add hormone information, but body acne is not proof of androgen excess.
How to use your results: Review sweating, tight clothing, friction and oily products alongside your laboratory comments. Change out of sweaty clothing after exercise and use non-comedogenic products. Painful, extensive or scarring acne benefits from timely medical treatment.
What Do Estradiol and Progesterone Add?
These results broaden the hormone profile, but neither a low progesterone result nor an Estradiol-to-testosterone ratio reliably identifies the cause of male acne.
If you also have breast tenderness or enlargement, arrange a separate clinical assessment rather than assuming it is an acne-related hormone imbalance.
How the Specialist Comments Help
Your report explains the measured levels in the context of the information you provide. It can help you identify:
- Which measurements fall outside the reference ranges
- Whether medicines or supplements may affect interpretation
- Which findings warrant further investigation
The practical benefit is additional hormone information and clearer questions for follow-up. Combine this with appropriate skincare and acne treatment, rather than using the results to select hormone supplements.
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 your saliva sample following the detailed instructions provided in the kit
- Post your sample to ZRT Laboratory using the return instructions provided
- Receive your full report by email within 3–5 working days
What You Receive
- All four hormone results with male-specific reference ranges
- Graphical and numerical hormone data for easy interpretation
- Written interpretation of your specific hormonal acne pattern by a Hormone Specialist PhD Doctor
- Personalised treatment and lifestyle guidance
- 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
Why saliva instead of blood?
Saliva measures bioavailable (free, active) hormones — the fraction actually reaching your skin cells and sebaceous glands. Blood tests measure total hormone including the bound, inactive fraction, which can miss the imbalances most relevant to acne.
Can I use this test if I am on TRT?
Yes. This test is particularly valuable for men on TRT experiencing acne as a side effect, as it reveals whether the issue is testosterone excess, oestradiol elevation from aromatisation, or progesterone insufficiency.
Will a specialist review my report?
Yes. A Hormone Specialist PhD Doctor adds personalised commentary to every report.
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.
Saliva Sample Collection Instructions
Collect your saliva samples at home using the materials provided in your kit. Check your Test Requisition Form and kit instructions to confirm whether your test requires one, two or four samples. You may not need every tube supplied.
Read all instructions before you begin. If you use hormone treatment, also read the Hormone Users section.
1. Check Your Collection Times
| Samples required | When to collect |
|---|---|
| One | Morning |
| Two | Morning and before bed |
| Four | Morning, before lunch, before dinner and before bed |
Use the large 10 mL tube for your morning sample and the smaller 5 mL tubes for any later samples. Collect the required samples on the same day unless your kit instructions say otherwise.
2. Choose Your Collection Day
Mark your collection day on your calendar. List all medicines, supplements and hormone treatments on your Test Requisition Form.
Men, children and women who do not menstruate: Collect on any day of the month. If you use hormones, follow the treatment-timing instructions below.
Women who menstruate: If your test measures estradiol, progesterone or testosterone, use the following schedule:
| Usual menstrual-cycle length | When to collect |
|---|---|
| 23–26 days | Day 17, 18 or 19 |
| 27–30 days | Day 21, 22 or 23 |
| 31–34 days | Day 25, 26 or 27 |
| Shorter or longer regular cycles | 5–7 days before your next expected period |
| Infrequent or unpredictable cycles | Any day when you are not bleeding |
Day 1 is the first day of menstrual flow, not spotting. Follow any different timing instructions supplied for your particular test.
3. Hormone Users
Skip this section if you do not use hormones.
Record every hormone treatment on your Test Requisition Form. This helps the laboratory choose suitable reference ranges and provide relevant comments.
Do not stop prescribed hormone treatment for testing. If collection requires changing your usual dosing time, check with your prescriber first.
Topical and Oral Hormones
- Continue your prescribed treatment on the day before collection.
- Allow at least 12 hours between an evening dose and your morning sample. For example, if collecting at 8 am, take or apply the previous evening’s dose by 8 pm.
- Oral progesterone is an exception: you may take it immediately before bed.
- For at least two days before collection, apply topical hormones using gloves or an applicator rather than bare hands.
- Avoid applying hormones to your face, lips or neck.
Troches and Under-the-Tongue Hormones
Hormones that dissolve in the mouth can contaminate saliva samples. Saliva hormone testing is not recommended while using these treatments. Ask your healthcare professional about an alternative, such as blood spot testing. Contaminated samples may be partially or fully rejected.
Patches, Vaginal Rings, Pellets and Injections
The laboratory advises collecting halfway between doses or replacements. For example, this may be approximately three days after applying a weekly patch or two weeks after a monthly injection.
Check the appropriate collection time for your particular treatment with your prescriber.
Steroid Medicines
If you take glucocorticoids, such as hydrocortisone or prednisone, ask your healthcare professional when to collect your samples.
Prevent Hormone Contamination
Traces of hormone creams or gels can transfer from your hands, towels or household surfaces into your sample.
- Change your sheets, pillowcases and towels the night before collection.
- Avoid touching bathroom surfaces that may contain hormone residue.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and dry them with a clean towel.
4. Prepare for Collection
Three days before collection: Avoid anti-ageing or anti-wrinkle facial creams and biotin/vitamin B7 supplements, including hair and nail formulas.
The night before collection: Stay normally hydrated, but avoid drinking excessive amounts of fluid.
Before your morning sample: Do not eat, drink anything other than water, or brush your teeth.
Before later samples: Do not eat, drink anything other than water, or brush your teeth for at least two hours before collection.
5. Collect Your Samples
- Wash your hands with soap and water, then dry them with a clean towel.
- Rinse your mouth with water and wait five minutes.
- Begin your morning collection within 30 minutes of waking, using the large tube.
- Let saliva pool naturally in your mouth, then transfer it into the tube.
- Fill the tube at least halfway with liquid saliva, excluding bubbles. This usually takes 15–30 minutes, depending on saliva flow.
- Screw the cap on securely.
- Label the tube with your name, collection date and collection time, then place it back in its bag.
- Repeat at each later collection time required for your test, using the smaller tubes.
If saliva flow is slow: Try yawning, smelling food without eating it, or pressing the tip of your tongue against your teeth. To reduce bubbles, securely cap the tube and gently tap it on a hard surface.
6. Complete Your Paperwork and Pack Your Samples
- Complete your Test Requisition Form, including your symptoms, medical history, medicines, supplements and hormone treatments.
- Check that every required tube is clearly labelled, securely closed and at least halfway full of liquid saliva.
- Place your samples, completed form and any additional paperwork inside the plastic kit box.
- Include payment only if required under your kit’s arrangements.
- Close the box securely and place it inside the return packaging.
- Attach the prepaid return label if provided, or arrange the required postage.
- Return your samples using the carrier and return address specified in your kit instructions.
7. Storage and Collection Mistakes
Freeze samples if you will not ship them within 24 hours of collection. Samples remain stable under average shipping conditions, including transit over weekends and holidays.
If you need to repeat a collection, rinse the affected tube with hot water only—do not use soap. Shake out the remaining water and leave the tube to air-dry before collecting again at the correct time.
If you ate or brushed your teeth before collecting your morning sample, restart the following morning.
