Feeling tired or burned out? Maybe it's time to check the levels of your stress hormones.
Many people complain about feeling rundown occasionally, but if you're among those who feel downright exhausted, consider testing your Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) levels. A simple saliva test, analyzed by a laboratory, can tell you whether your levels of the hormones cortisol, DHEA and adrenaline -- all measures of stress -- are within healthy parameters. Signs that indicate you may want to test ASI levels include dramatic mood shifts, feeling "on edge," immunity concerns, lack of vitality, and chronic muscle and joint pain. Your doctor may order the test, or you may opt to pay for one on your own. The results will help determine if you have chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia or another stress-hormone-related disorder.
Instructions
1. Obtain an Adrenal Stress Index test kit from an accredited laboratory. Check with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for a listing of accredited laboratories. As an example, Integrated Healthcare supplies a kit and analyzes the test for less than $100.
2. Pick a day that you will collect saliva samples. On the day of testing, do not eat chocolate, onions, garlic, cabbage, cauliflower or broccoli. Do not consume caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea and colas. Within 30 minutes of collecting samples, do not eat or drink anything except water, avoid the use of antacids and mouthwash, and do not brush your teeth or smoke.
3. Mark down the four times when you will draw the samples. Schedule the morning, or fasting, sample between 7 and 8 a.m. Draw the noon sample between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Collect the afternoon saliva between 4 and 5 p.m. Do the midnight sample between 11 p.m. and midnight. Note the time of your last meal before each sample is taken and put that time on the label of the specimen tube.
4. Collect the four saliva samples, following this protocol each time: Rinse the mouth with cold water for a minimum of three minutes; remove the cotton roll from the test vial and place it under the tongue until it is saturated, usually two to five minutes; return the cotton to the tube, cap it tightly and place the tube in the sealable plastic sandwich bag.
5. Return all four samples in the mailer provided as soon as possible to the laboratory. If you can't mail the samples on the same day, you may refrigerate them for up to 72 hours before mailing. Some laboratories will call you with the results and review them over the telephone.
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