Comprehensive Adrenal Function Profile (Saliva)

Beschrijving

Why This Test Is Important

The body’s response to stress is regulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which closely interacts with the immune system and circadian rhythm.

This profile goes beyond measuring cortisol alone by combining:

• Four-point cortisol rhythm (diurnal pattern)
• DHEA (adrenal reserve and stress adaptation hormone)
• Secretory IgA (sIgA) – a key marker of immune function and chronic stress burden

Together, these markers provide an integrated view of:

• Stress physiology
• Energy regulation
• Sleep–wake rhythm
• Immune resilience

This makes the test especially valuable in patients with long-standing stress-related and inflammatory conditions.

What This Profile Measures

1. Cortisol (4 time points)

Cortisol should be highest approximately 30 minutes after waking and gradually decline throughout the day, reaching its lowest level at night.

Abnormal patterns may include:

• Elevated evening cortisol (associated with insomnia and nervous system overdrive)
• Low morning cortisol (fatigue, difficulty waking)
• Flattened rhythm (chronic stress adaptation)

These patterns help identify dysfunction in adrenal and circadian regulation.

2. DHEA (saliva)

DHEA is an adrenal hormone involved in:

• Stress resilience
• Immune modulation
• Energy metabolism
• Healthy aging

DHEA naturally declines with age, but abnormal levels may indicate:

• Chronic stress burden
• Reduced adrenal reserve
• Imbalance between catabolic (cortisol) and anabolic (DHEA) pathways

3. Secretory IgA (sIgA) – Immune Stress Marker

Secretory IgA is the main antibody of mucosal immunity and plays a critical role in:

• Gut barrier protection
• Respiratory immune defense
• Oral and upper airway immunity

Salivary sIgA reflects the interaction between:

• The immune system
• The gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT)
• The HPA axis (stress regulation)

Clinical interpretation of sIgA:

Elevated sIgA may indicate:

• Acute immune or inflammatory activation
• Psychological or physical stress response
• Ongoing infections or inflammatory stimulation
• Smoking, alcohol overuse, or oropharyngeal pathology

Low sIgA may indicate:

• Chronic stress and immune exhaustion
• Suppressed mucosal immunity
• Increased susceptibility to infections
• Allergies and chronic inflammatory skin or respiratory conditions
• Long-standing gastrointestinal disorders

Persistently low sIgA is commonly seen in individuals who “cannot recover” from immune challenges and may explain:

• recurrent infections
• chronic allergies
• chronic fatigue
• poor stress tolerance

Thus, sIgA adds a critical immune dimension to adrenal testing that cortisol alone cannot provide.

When Is This Test Clinically Useful?

This profile is particularly relevant in patients with:

• Chronic stress or burnout
• Fatigue and low stamina
• Insomnia or disturbed sleep
• Anxiety or depression
• Nervousness and irritability
• Salt or sugar cravings
• Dizziness or headaches
• Chronic inflammatory or autoimmune conditions
• Recurrent infections
• Gastrointestinal complaints linked to stress
• Long-term illness with immune dysregulation

Clinical Value of the Combined Markers

By integrating cortisol, DHEA, and sIgA, this profile helps assess:

• HPA-axis regulation
• Circadian rhythm integrity
• Adrenal reserve
• Immune resilience
• Stress–immune interaction
• Risk of immune exhaustion

This allows clinicians to distinguish between:

• acute stress activation
• chronic stress adaptation
• immune suppression
• inflammatory activation

and to guide more targeted therapeutic strategies.

Sample Collection

Sample Type: Saliva

Collection Method:
Participants collect their own saliva samples at home at prescribed times, following detailed instructions included in the kit. This non-invasive method reflects biologically active cortisol levels throughout the day without the stress artifact of clinic draws.

Return & Processing:
Samples are shipped back to World Health Laboratories with pre-paid courier labels (where available) or via international shipment as arranged.

• Includes: Cortisol levels measured at different times of the day
• Sample requirement: Saliva collected at specific times

Suitable for postal submission.