Basic Lab ¬ Melatonin to Cortisol Index

This test requires two saliva samples; one from the morning, one from bedtime. Melatonin is a hormone normally made by the pineal gland during the dark hours and cortisol is made by the adrenal glands especially during times of stress, too much cortisol, among other things, can increase the fat around your middle and suppress immune function.

Disturbances in the ratio of these hormones can be associated with breast and other cancer risks, immune function deficiency, depression, cardiovascular disease, bone loss, neurological disease, gastrointestinal disease and weight management.

You may want to have this test performed if you travel frequently, have insomnia, work shifts, have chronic stress, fat around your middle or are concerned about any of the before mentioned topics.