Salivary Cortisol Test

Saliva collection instructions

Directions to collect saliva

Saliva should be collected at the precise time(s) that your physician prescribed. The preferred method for collecting saliva is to use the provided 2 salivette. A salivette is a device made specifically for the purpose of collecting saliva.

Please read the following directions carefully before starting your collection.

Before collection

1. Collect saliva at the specific times(s)listed by your physician
2. 24 hours before collection – DON’T use any creams or lotions that contain steroids such as hydrocortisone and DON’T use any steroid inhalers. These products can contaminate the salivette and interfere with the results.
3. 30 minutes before collection – DO NOT eat or drink anything at least 30 minutes before collecting saliva.
4. Avoid activities that may cause your gums to bleed- DO NOT brush or floss your teeth before collecting saliva.
5. If your gums or the inside of your mouth are bleeding- DO NOT collect a sample. Please consult with your physician if this a chronic problem.

When you are ready to start collecting saliva

• Before touching the salivettes, wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly.
• Test needs to be done over two consecutive nights: each with a different salivette.
• Open top cap/stopper and place cylindrical cotton pad in your mouth
• Roll the cotton pad in your mouth for a minimum of 90 seconds. (Cotton pad should be saturated)
• If you cannot roll the cotton pad in your mouth, place the cotton pad under the tongue for a minimum of 90 seconds or until its well saturated.
• Once the cotton pad is saturated, it should be put back into the insert (internal smaller Bessel) and firmly closed with the top cap/stopper. The salivette should now look exactly as it did when you started, with the cap insert, cotton pad and centrifuge tube.
• Carefully label each salivette with your name, the time collected, the date, and your physician’s name on each salivette.
• Store the 2 specimens in freezer post collection and return the specimen kits to CCAD lab center the following morning after the second sample collection.
• On Saturdays, the lab is closed.