I’d grown tired of hearing, “there’s nothing wrong with you—your blood work is normal.”

For several years, I felt anything but “normal.” I was frustrated with doctors treating each of my symptoms separately (usually with the offer of a pharmaceutical—that I refused).

My doctors didn’t seem interested in finding (or addressing) the root cause of my symptoms. They wouldn’t even acknowledge that I had a problem.

Despite their insistence that I was “healthy,” I knew there had to be a reason why I felt so abnormal. Whatever that reason, it needed to be treated. I realized that was only going to happen if I took my symptoms seriously, and found another way to be evaluated. I needed a way to take charge of my health care and treatment.

I learned about the use of saliva testing in diagnosing hormonal imbalances, and I was hopeful that such a test could reveal what blood work had missed.  The problem was how was I going to find and order a saliva test?

As a California resident, only a physician, nutritionist or a pharmacist could order saliva testing for me. I found a local compounding pharmacy offering saliva test kits to patients, but they were pricey.

Thankfully, I found the Canary Club.   Membership with the Canary Club allowed me to order saliva testing affordably, without a doctor’s order. The Canary Club also offers saliva test kits to members for a discounted rate. I was able to purchase two tests (a saliva and blood spot panel) for the price of one saliva kit (through my local compounding pharmacy)!

As soon as my test results were available, they were e-mailed to me. The lab analyzed my tests and provided a complete analysis (with charts and graphs) in an easy to read report.  

Through saliva testing I learned I have a serious hormone deficiency that could have proved life threatening, if left untreated. I immediately requested (and obtained), hormone replacement for my specific deficiency. 

If not for Canary Club’s services, I might still be on the passive medical merry go round, hoping for answers, while my health continued to decline. Instead I now have the answers I sought, and the ability to take charge of my health care. With the help of physicians that welcome saliva testing, I can address the root causes of my health issues. 

Thanks, Canary Club!

S. Roche, California

This website promises to “educate, support and empower” and that’s exactly what it delivers.  

The whole website is designed for easy access, and the resource articles are informative as well as supportive of those who have previously felt alone and unheard. 

Kits are available so that people concerned over their health can quickly and accurately diagnose any problems.  After trying in vain for years to find satisfaction through the usual medical channels, I found this information empowering.  I discovered what I suspected all along– that I was extremely low in several hormones.  Now that my hormones are in balance, my life has improved enormously.  I am extremely grateful to have discovered this wonderful tool.

 Sandi H Australia

Your site is very valuable, thank you for the work you do. 

It has made a big difference to me - because I used to think I was crazy. 

Now I know it is in my hormones, not my head. 

--anonymous

I ordered a test for my wife.

We got the results and treatment and she is getting better and now I am ordering a test for my daughter.  I think we are finally going to have a happy household. 

Thank you. 

Terry

For over 15 years I had been feeling worse and worse. Doctors said it was in my head.

I found your site and got tested and am now on supplements that have me feeling almost like my old self.  I get better every week.

Thank you so much! 

Sara P.
Tuscon, Arizona

I never thought about menopause until I was in it. And what an introduction! I started to feel like I was on a rollercoaster; always up or down, hot or cold, full of energy, or totally wiped out. Of course I went to the doctor fully expecting to be put on hormone replacement. Menopause is an estrogen deficiency disease, right? Wrong. Well I know that now, after hellish year on HRT, the same stuff they used in the big study (Women’s Health Initiative Trial) that was in the headlines a few years back--the one they suddenly stopped because it was putting women at risk for the heart attacks and breast cancer it was supposed to be preventing! HRT certainly caused me a lot of problems and it never helped me with the symptoms I took it for in the first place-- hot flashes and weight gain. So it was a good thing I found Dr. John Lee’s book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause. From the first page I felt he was speaking directly to me! Since finding a physician who switched me to natural progesterone, my hormone levels are pretty well balanced – no more estrogen dominance. The hot flashes usually don’t show up unless I’m really stressed or eating spicy foods, and I’m finally starting to lose some weight! 

For the past 30 years I’ve been totally immersed in what I do. I run my own architectural firm and have had plenty of commissions over the years so as to ensure a comfortable living. So when business began trailing off last year, I didn’t do much about it—in fact I wasn’t doing much of anything but resting on my laurels. While I was going downhill, my wife was having her own problems with the menopause. What a pair! At times, neither of us recognized ourselves, or each other! But when Julie had a hormone test that identified a bunch of imbalances, things started to turn around for both of us. She found an integrative medicine clinic where the physicians used both conventional and alternative medicine to help her through the change. Then it was my turn. Julie brought home a pamphlet called “Andropause, the Male Menopause.” I never knew it existed! But I soon found out that women aren’t the only ones who go through a mid-life change. Evidently, male hormones, especially testosterone, also drop, big-time. The doctor recommended that I take a hormone test to measure my testosterone and SHBG, a protein that carries testosterone in the blood stream. He explained that when SHBG is too high, it binds up testosterone so there’s not enough to go around. The test showed that, sure enough, I had high SHBG and low testosterone levels. That explained a lot. My wife and I began a program.

I’m your typical macho man, tons of drive, always pushing the envelope. But in my early fifties, I started to lose something more than muscle tone. My competitive edge. Self-esteem. Both were slipping, and that’s a bummer if you’re in business. I couldn’t describe how burned out I was, but I just kept asking questions. Eventually I got an answer that made sense for an aging baby boomer – my hormones were headed downhill. When tests confirmed low DHEA levels, I was relieved to have a reason for feeling like I did. The good news was that I could do something about it.

I was miserable around my periods and tended to take it out on everyone around me. My kids would see that look on my face and scatter, which only made me feel worse. I had tried all sorts of over-the-counter remedies but nothing changed. Then I heard someone on the radio describing my symptoms to a T! They attributed it all to a hormonal imbalance. Who knew? My doctor had never mentioned the possibility. I started looking into it and found that there was quite a bit of information out there, including a simple test I could take. Sure enough my hormones were out of whack! To make a long story short, I found a natural- hormone-friendly doctor who is working with me to balance my hormones. She regularly monitors my hormone levels with follow-up saliva testing, but I know the treatment is working. It’s like night and day. Just ask my kids.

I have used the combo kit for several patients with vague symptoms and "normal" blood testing only to find that, not only were they adrenally fatigued, but has low thyroid function as well. We must teach patients that their symptoms are real and that a biochemical reason exists for their lack of energy, sluggishness, inability to lose weight no matter how hard they try, brain fog, sugar cravings, hot flashes, and low libido. As health care practitioners, let's help guide them toward total health by addressing lifestyle and diet change, stress reduction and hormone balance.
Thank you ZRT, for continuing to provide the innovative ideas that help make my job so much easier. Keep up the good work!

Susan Merenstein, Rph.
Bioidentical Hormone and Nutritional Therapies Specialist
Community Drug Compounding Center
517 Greenfield Avenue, Suite B
PIttsburg, PA 15207
Phone: 412-421-4996 Fax: 412-421-6500
Toll-free: 888-799-4247
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