This is a limited time package that bundles in a call with our mother/daughter duo, Candace Burch and Jess Suchan at a reduced rate. We created this package to provide a solid plan of support from the moment your results and action plan are received- so you can book your calls right away and feel clear about 'next steps' throughout the process. Jess is not currently offering a la carte calls to YHB clients outside of this package (and primarily offers 6 month health and mindset coaching programs), so this is a special opportunity to work with her one on 1:1.

However, if you don't purchase the "support" package, you will still have the option to book a 40min phone consultation with our founder, Candace Burch (MA), or a 30min functional medicine call with our partner, Dr Laura Martell, when results are in. Both calls are $199, with split pay options available (shared on a secret 'client specials' page).

The action plan provides targeted suggestions and insights based on your unique levels and symptoms- including lifestyle, nutrition, supplements & plant based hormones (YHB approved products), if testing indicates a need. You will fill out a hormone health Q&A prior to receiving your custom action plan, which helps us put together the most helpful suggestions and resources for you!

The "test+insights" package includes a break down of your results, along with comprehensive education to help you understand your results and an overview of holistic rebalancing next steps to consider (including an overview of "essential" lifestyle, nutrition and supplements). However, you won't fill out a Q&A or have a consultation, and won't receive a personalized breakdown of rebalancing priorities and suggestions based on your unique levels, symptoms and hormonal concerns. 

You can certainly start with the "test + insights" package and 'add on' a custom action plan and/or a phone consultation if needed, once results are in (we will give you access to our client specials page at that time). NOTE: getting the "support" or "action plan" package saves you a little money (vs. adding a call or guide later), and speeds up the process (we get you a Q&A as soon as your results are in), so you can get your action plan and/or call right away.

We suggest testing these hormones upfront, if possible, to rule out imbalances that could be contributing to your top symptoms. We especially suggest these tests if any of these symptoms sound familiar:

Symptoms associated with Vitamin D-deficiency include: fatigue, low immunity, muscle aches, chronic pain, bone density loss / brittle bones, hair loss, mood changes, low libido, weight gain / stubborn belly fat, depression, anxiety, and increased risks for obesity, MS and cancer.

Symptoms of an under-active thyroid include: fatigue, depression, weight gain, cold sensitivity, dry skin/nails/ hair, constipation, muscle and joint pain, forgetfulness, menstrual irregularities, puffy eyes/face.

Overactive thyroid symptoms include: unexplained weight loss, rapid heartbeat, nervousness, increased sweating, fatigue, heat sensitivity, tremors & more.

We shared "6 reasons we prefer saliva over blood" earlier on this page, but in short: standard blood tests measures TOTAL hormones (including INACTIVE hormones still bound up in red blood cells), while saliva measures the fraction of hormones that that have left the blood stream and are 'bioavailable' (ACTIVE) in the target tissues of the body AND more closely match symptoms that we're currently experiencing!

Regarding dried urine testing: this form of testing measures hormone metabolites (indicating how well the body is metabolizing hormones and eliminating their metabolites from the body). Although urine testing is much more comprehensive than standard blood testing, it's the most expensive form of testing and results are quite complex, which can be overwhelming for anyone starting their hormone balancing journey. But for those whose symptoms aren't improving despite significant therapeutic and lifestyle changes, urine testing can be considered for a deeper dive.

To that end, we are pleased to be able to offer dried urine testing and interpretation to our existing clients.

If you have not worked with YHB before and are specifically seeking a dried urine test, please contact info@yourhormonebalance.com and we can provide costs for our urine test package, including a 30 minute consultation with our functional medicine practitioner, Dr Laura Martell.

NOTE: urine testing is often referred to as "DUTCH" testing, but "DUTCH" is just the name of a lab that offers commercial urine testing. Our lab was actually the first to develop the dried urine testing process!

Our team has limited bandwidth outside of paid consultations, so we encourage emailing us your questions for the fastest response. If you have a question that you don't feel comfortable emailing, or you would like to book a consultation with Candace, Jess, and/or Dr Martell prior to testing, email us (info@yourhormonebalance.com), and we can support you.

Western/traditional medical schools offer a standard curriculum that doesn't train doctors in hormone testing methods outside of the standard blood draw (covered by insurance).

This is unfortunate because standard blood tests don't provide the whole picture when it comes to underlying hormone imbalances. Surveys of traditionally trained medical residents and/or doctors reveal that they are often unfamiliar or uncomfortable reviewing test results (such as saliva or urine) from a lab outside their practice, and usually prescribe ‘one size fits all’ HRT, birth control or other medications as the first and only "solution" to relieve symptoms.

This is why we pair test results with comprehensive education, to help you understand what your levels mean, how your symptoms are related, and an overview of the top natural steps you can take to address your imbalances and relieve symptoms in your day to day life. We also provide education to help you feel more confident speaking with your current provider, and sharing your decision to pursue natural approaches to optimize your hormones, as well as tips for finding a functional or integrative doctor in your area - for root-based medical care. (These type of doctors are generally trained on natural approaches to hormone balance, and can be an integral part of your health care team, especially if you're dealing with chronic health conditions or concerns and not receiving adequate support from your traditional doctor). The only draw back with functional medicine is that appointments are often out of pocket (exceptions do apply). 

Keep in mind: as part of this "SUPPORT" package, you'll get a 1:1 phone consultation with our founder, Candace Burch (25+ years experience in the field), as well as her daughter, Holistic Health and Mindset coach, Jess Suchan (IIN certified, with over a decade in coaching and hormone consulting). We also now offer 'a la carte consultations' with Functional Medicine Practitioner, Dr Laura Martell, at a discounted rate for clients who have already tested with YHB (that option is shared when your results are in).

Ultimately, whether or not you're already working with a practitioner for hormonal issues, the hormone specific insights, education and support calls we provide go much DEEPER than anything offered during a typical doctors’ visit—making it a great place to start your rebalancing journey (or the perfect complement to an existing rebalancing protocol)

It's true that hormones naturally fluctuate during our menstrual cycle and more significantly during the perimenopause transition to menopause. However, the frequency and severity of these hormonal fluctuations can absolutely be improved/relieved by, #1: Testing hormones to pinpoint which levels are outside the "normal range," #2: testing after ovulation or mid-luteal phase (for those with periods), when hormone levels *should* be surging, and #3: taking steps to minimize hormonal fluctuations through specific rebalancing practices.  

Testing in this way provides a picture of underlying imbalances linked to persistent and/or severe symptoms and/or hormonal fluctuations.

NOTE: we provide detailed test collection instructions for those with regular, irregular & absent periods. Those with trackable periods are encouraged to collect mid-luteal phase or 5-7 days post ovulation. Those who are unable to track their periods or signs of ovulation can test whenever they are not bleeding or spotting.

Women who test hormones via a standard blood test are usually tested on a random day of the week, at a random time of day and they are often told "everything is normal" and sent on their way with few answers or education after testing. When you test with YHB, you'll collect saliva samples 4 x over one day and walk away with in-depth insights related to your ACTIVE hormone levels, so you can start to make sense of your symptoms and take steps to experience relief!

It's ideal to retest 3-4 months after making intentional lifestyle/diet/supplement adjustments, based on initial results. It's especially important for anyone introducing hormone replacement therapy to retest in 3-4 months to check on levels and ensure everything is balancing out properly. 

If you are not using hormone replacement therapy, testing 2 x a year is a good benchmark, or you can wait and decide to retest based on your symptoms (especially if noticing new or worsening symptoms).

You can certainly test while still on BC, but keep in mind that test results will reflect your hormone levels under the influence of birth control, especially estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels, which are suppressed by BC (although our lab adjusts the reference ranges to account for the BC you are using). These results can still be useful, as we can analyze how your symptoms may be caused by or connected to your birth control (along with other factors), and discuss suggestions for alleviating its effects, including lifestyle, movement, diet + supplement suggestions (if you purchase the custom 'action plan').

However, if you are already planning to come off BC, testing post-birth control will provide the most accurate picture of what your hormone levels look like *not under the influence* of synthetic hormones. In this case, we suggest waiting approx. 6-8 weeks after coming off hormonal BC, or until a normal cycle resumes, to allow enough time for the synthetic hormones to clear the system and readjust to baseline levels. With these results in hand, we can put together customized suggestions to help you replenish hormones that have been suppressed by hormonal birth control (this customization is provided if you add on a “custom action plan.")

Once we’ve hit menopause (or after a total hysterectomy which catapults us into menopause overnight), the ovaries are no longer producing adequate amounts of estrogen or progesterone. With less hormone to go around, our hormones’ role in protecting the health of the uterus, breasts, bones, skin, brain and heart is greatly diminished.

As our reproductive years reach the finish line, this is the time of life when the adrenal glands (which produce ‘cortisol’) must take over all hormone production for the duration of our lives. Extra adrenal support is needed at this stage to prevent imbalances of the ‘master hormones’ (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol), which coincides with estrogen dominance, changes in memory and concentration / brain fog, fatigue, sleep issues, weight gain around the middle, mood swings, depression, vaginal dryness…just to name a few of the more common outcomes, particularly during menopause. 

For all of these reasons, testing while in menopause (or post-hysterectomy) and learning how to restore balance (naturally), becomes more important than ever! The GOOD NEWS: help is available and there is much you can do during this phase of life to relieve symptoms and feel your best well into the future.

If you're aiming for health and longevity, hormone testing is your first step!

Testing is a great way to assess the effectiveness of your current hormone supplementation, and you dont want to stop using your hormones or medication* to test. Just be sure to refer to the detailed collection instructions we'll provide with your test kit purchase, based on the type of hormone formulation you're using. (EX: we generally suggest a 12-24 hour break from oral/topical/vaginal hormones).

*We do suggest a 72-hour hiatus from use of anti-aging skin creams (with unknown hormone traces) or hydrocortisone preparations, etc. before collecting saliva samples.

When your results are in, we'll send you a hormone health Q&A to complete - providing insights on your top symptoms and concerns, health history, etc. Once we have received your completed Q&A, we need 5-7 business days to provide your completed results recap + action plan. 

Keep in mind: you will receive your results as soon as the lab releases them, and you'll have access to our 'rebalance rescue guide' portal after purchase, so you can begin learning right away!

We ship from California, and it generally takes 3-5 business days to arrive (+/- a couple days based on your location). 

Once the lab receives your samples in the mail, they generally need 7-10 business days to fully process and release your results to our team (sometimes faster). This is the standard wait time for most CLIA certified labs.

We provide detailed instructions after purchase for women with either: short, regular, long, irregular or absent periods. 

If you are able to accurately pinpoint ovulation (ideally via basal body temp), we suggest testing 5-7 days after ovulation (choosing 1 of those days to test).

If you can't pinpoint ovulation, we suggest testing around day 19, 20 or 21 of your cycle -OR- 5-7 days before the start of your period if you have 30+ day cycles. 

Women with periods that cannot be tracked may test any day they are not bleeding or spotting.

When you are on hormonal birth control you do not have a true cycle, so you can test any day you are not bleeding or spotting (includes the IUD, nuva ring or patch - these do not need to be removed to test). 

Those with the copper IUD have a real period, so we suggest following the collection instructions we'll provide after purchase, based on cycle length / regularity.

Upon waking (within 30mins), before lunch, before dinner & right before bed.

The majority of hormones we test (estrogen, progesterone, DHEA and testosterone) are collected in the first morning collection tube.

We have you collect 4 x in one day (same day) to assess the diurnal daily cortisol pattern, seeing how levels rise and fall throughout the day - ideally following the normal circadian rhythm ('optimal' = higher levels in the first half of the day, dropping gradually to lower levels before bed). This helps assess full adrenal gland function (the adrenals produce cortisol + DHEA).

No need to stop any medications* to test. If using hormone containing medications,  you'll just need to follow our specific collection instructions sent after purchase (a short 1-2 day break from hormones may be required before your first morning collection).

*We do suggest a 72-hour hiatus from use of anti-aging skin creams (with unknown hormone traces) or hydrocortisone preparations, etc. before collecting saliva samples.

Unfortunately, testing while nursing is complicated.  This is because high prolactin levels (hormone produced while breastfeeding) suppress estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels, inevitably resulting in low / low-normal levels that can’t easily be addressed while still breastfeeding. 

Although you could test now, you will get more helpful results if you wait to test 6-8 weeks after stopping breastfeeding.  This window also allows enough time for pregnancy-influenced hormones to clear the system, for more accurate test results.

On the other hand, DHEAs, cortisol, thyroid and vitamin D levels will not be impacted by prolactin, so you could check those levels now, without getting skewed results. NOTE: this “build your own test kit package” includes a saliva test measuring estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, testosterone and 4 x cortisol levels, but it does not include a thyroid (blood spot) kit unless you add it on. However, if you wanted to test while still breastfeeding, we could remove the estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone markers from our standard hormone package and sub in a thyroid kit – since the costs are similar. (Just reach out to us via info@yourhormonebalance.com if you want to go that route, so we can adjust the order).

The other challenge with rebalancing while breastfeeding is that it’s not generally advised for nursing moms to use herbal tinctures, certain supplements or bioidentical hormones, so several of our rebalancing suggestions would be better to follow post-breastfeeding (especially those included in our 'custom action plan/guide.' Of course prioritizing stress management, self-care, movement, rest and proper nutrition will always benefit your overall hormone health (and we provide lots of suggestions in that realm too, via the educational resources –that come with every test kit package!).

In any case, our test kits never expire, so if you want to order a kit ahead of time, we suggest marking your calendars with the proper time frame to test, and storing in a dry/room temp place until you are ready to collect!

Testing while pregnant is not advised because fluctuating pregnancy hormones will inevitably impact results. We suggest waiting to test hormones 3 months after pregnancy (if not planning to breastfeed) OR testing 6-8 weeks after stopping breastfeeding (more on this in the answer above!).