Testing & ZRT Kits

Accurate and affordable blood spot, saliva, saliva + blood test kits

Our bodies produce many hormones that affect all of our cells.  When they are in balance, we feel great and are healthy and have energy. When they are out of balance, we can develop a lot of different problems ranging from fatigue and headaches to infertility, weight gain, and a decrease in libido.  

ZRT laboratory has developed simple testing kits designed to test a wide array of hormones.  These kits are easy to use and can be done from the comfort and convenience of your own home.  The kit includes the testing supplies and directions for how to administer the test as well as a questionnaire you answer that has your information and a comprehensive list of symptoms you could be experiencing. Once you finish the questionnaire and testing, you place it all in the enclosed packaging and mail it to ZRT. They run the tests you have ordered and analyze the results then post them online for your health care practitioner or pharmacist to view and discuss with you.

They offer 4 methods of testing hormones. Each one is specific for the type of test and will give the optimal results to determine if your hormones are in balance or if you have a deficiency.

Saliva testing

Affordable and accurate saliva test kit

This test is used to measure levels of hormones such as cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone. This test includes spitting into a tube and could be done once or up to 4 times in a day. Saliva tests measure the amount of hormone available to target tissues, which is the amount that is working in your body. Saliva testing helps identify hormone levels that are too high or too low. This test is a good option for patients that are supplementing with oral, topical, or vaginal hormones. 

Test kits available for Saliva testing:

1. Saliva hormone profile
2. Saliva and blood hormone profile
3. Cortisol awakening response profile
4. Adrenal stress profile
5. Fertility profile
6. Neurotransmitter profile
7. Weight management profile

Blood spot testing

Affordable and accurate blood spot test kit

This test is used to measure levels of insulin, lipids, Vitamin D, thyroid hormones, and elements like lead and magnesium. This test is easier and more convenient than a blood draw because it only requires a finger prick and a few drops of blood to be placed on the filter card.  This test is a good option for patients that are supplementing with oral, topical, or vaginal hormones. 

Test kits available for blood spot testing:

1. Blood spot profile
2. Saliva and blood spot profile
3. Blood and urine profile
4. Fertility profile
5. Weight management profile

Dried urine testing

This test is used to measure adrenal and sex steroid hormone by-products and their metabolic pathways. This test essentially looks at how well your body processes and excretes hormones.  This test is also used to test iodine levels and for heavy metals such as arsenic and cadmium. This is also the most common method for testing neurotransmitters. This test involves saturating a filter card with a urine sample for one day or in the case of menstrual mapping, every 2 days throughout your cycle. Each test is different and may include testing up to 4 times during one day depending on what is being measured.

Test kits available for dried urine testing:

1. Urine metabolites profile
2. Neurotransmitter profile
3. Sleep balance profile
4. Blood and urine profile
5. Menstrual cycle mapping profile
6. Heavy metals and essential elements profile

Serum testing

This test is used to measure levels of steroid, thyroid, and peptide hormones (i.e. LH and FSH). Other available tests measure levels of folate and Vitamins B12 and D.  Serum testing is a reliable method to measure the amount of hormones our body makes. If you are not yet using hormone therapy, this test is a good option to test your body’s production of hormones. This is a reliable testing method for patients who supplement with patch or pellet hormones. Some healthcare practitioners are more familiar and used to using this method of hormone testing and are more comfortable recommending this test. This test may also be more easily covered or reimbursed by insurance carriers. Most serum tests are comparable to dried blood spot testing; however, a few serum tests are unable to be converted to dried blood test kits such as ferritin and brain derived neuropathic factor (BDNF). 

Test kits available for serum testing:

1. Female serum hormones
2. Male serum hormones
3. Methylation
4. Methylation and memory

ZRT test kits are convenient for patients that are already supplementing with hormone therapy or taking medications. The profiles have ranges adjusted for age, menstrual status, and supplementation types. 

Information presented on this page can be found in more detail on ZRT’s website: https://www.zrtlab.com/

Saliva, dried blood spot, and dried urine test kits are all available for purchase at Coast to Coast Compounding.  Call us to speak with a pharmacist about which test kit is best for you.