Salivary Testing Eugene, OR

Salivary Testing

Non-Invasive Hormone and Immune Assessment Through Saliva

Salivary testing is a convenient, non-invasive, and highly informative diagnostic method offered at Dr. Jeri Lynn Otterstrom’s practice in Eugene, OR. By analyzing saliva samples collected at specific times of day or throughout a cycle, salivary testing provides valuable insight into hormone levels, immune function, and other physiological markers that are not always well-captured by blood testing alone.

One of the primary advantages of salivary testing is its ability to measure the biologically active, “free” fraction of hormones — the portion that is actually available to act on tissues. Blood tests typically measure total hormone levels, which include both bound and free fractions. Salivary testing provides a more functionally relevant measure of what the body’s tissues are actually experiencing.

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Salivary hormone testing is particularly valuable for assessing sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, as well as adrenal hormones including cortisol and DHEA. The ability to collect multiple saliva samples over the course of a day — or at multiple points throughout a monthly cycle — provides a dynamic picture of hormonal patterns that a single blood draw cannot replicate.

At Dr. Otterstrom’s practice, salivary hormone testing is used to evaluate conditions such as adrenal fatigue and HPA axis dysfunction, female hormonal imbalances, menopausal transition, perimenopause, PMS and PMDD, testosterone deficiency, and cortisol dysregulation related to chronic stress or sleep disruption.

The salivary cortisol rhythm test, in particular, is an invaluable tool for assessing how the adrenal glands are responding to daily stress demands. A normal cortisol pattern should be highest in the morning and gradually decline throughout the day. Disruptions to this rhythm — whether flatness, elevation, or inversion — reveal specific patterns of adrenal dysfunction that guide targeted treatment.

Salivary testing is also used to assess secretory IgA (sIgA), an important immune marker found in saliva and other mucosal secretions that reflects the health and resilience of the mucosal immune system. Low sIgA is associated with increased susceptibility to infections and poor gut immunity.

Sample collection for salivary testing is simple and can be done at home, making it a practical option for patients who may have difficulty with blood draws or who need testing conducted across multiple time points.

If you are looking for a non-invasive and comprehensive assessment of your hormonal or immune health in Eugene, OR, Dr. Jeri Lynn Otterstrom offers salivary testing as part of a thorough diagnostic evaluation designed to guide personalized and effective treatment.