SubscribeorLogin

Letter to the Editor: Compounded Bioidentical Hormones and Saliva Tests

by | May 1, 2021

Post Categories: Hormone and Metabolic Health | Integrative Medicine

I am writing in response to the recent National Academies for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (NASEM) report on compounded bioidentical hormones, as well as David Zava’s recent report “Topical Therapy with Estradiol, Progesterone and Testosterone and Their Distribution in Saliva, Capillary Blood Serum, and Urine” (Townsend Letter, January 2021). While both had impressive graphs and charts, justifying scholarly work, I disagree with the conclusions of each.

Just because something is published, be it a NASEM report or an article in Townsend, does not mean it is true but may be grounds for further inquiry with valid observers. Both articles attempt to justify the authors’ narrow interpretation in order to convince readers of the outcome, with little willingness to include a broader discourse. With Zava’s work, perhaps the salivary information may be useful for general use in women without the significant mood issues we work with, but we have found it often inaccurate in our work.

Register below to read this article, free!

Create a free account to access this content and get more of Townsend Letter's top stories directly to your inbox.

Or, subscribe for full access.

Return to Previous Page or Log in.

Already Subscribed?

Log In

Search

Formatting updates are ongoing for older articles.

Author

Phyllis J. Bronson, PhD

Featured Articles

Where are your Clinical Trials?

It has proven to be difficult, if not impossible, to proceed to full-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for most of the natural methods that cannot be patented or otherwise monopolized. 

A Renewed Focus on Self-Help for Healing

As the producer of The Moss Report, the year leading up to the Covid-19 pandemic was filled with anticipation and excitement. We had invested years of hard work and significant resources into two major projects: our feature film, Immunotherapy: The Battle Within, and...

Issue Archives

Event Calendar

Events

Today

  • 2026 Association of Natural Health Conference

    Douglasville Conference Center Douglasville, GA, United States

    "From Practitioner to Leader: Clinical Excellence, Business Mastery & Sustainable Practice" Discover how clinical excellence, business mastery, and sustainable systems can help practitioners grow into confident leaders and build practices designed for long-term impact. Why Attend? Three days of learning, connection, and growth designed for every stage of your practice journey. Learn from Leading Voices Gain insights from top experts in natural health, holistic wellness, and functional medicine. Hands-On Learning Participate in in-depth workshops, real-world case studies, and interactive sessions you can apply immediately. Meaningful Networking Connect with like-minded professionals, students, and exhibitors who share your passion for natural health. Practical Tools & Approaches Explore new strategies and tools to elevate both your practice and your own health journey. Who Should Attend? This conference is built for a wide community of natural health professionals, educators, and advocates - wherever you are in your journey. Licensed & Clinical Practitioners Doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists, naturopaths, and functional or integrative medicine practitioners looking to sharpen clinical skills and grow into stronger practice leaders. Allied Health Professionals Bio-feedback technicians and other allied practitioners seeking hands-on training and the latest tools in natural and holistic care. Educators & Students Natural health educators and students entering the […]

  • Food as Medicine Global 2026

    Virtual Event

    Join health professionals, farmers, food producers, researchers, educators, nonprofit leaders, chefs, policymakers, community organizers, food advocates, public health practitioners, nutritionists, and other changemakers as we convene to share knowledge, build partnerships, and explore new possibilities for improving health, strengthening communities, and creating more equitable and sustainable food systems. This year’s program features inspiring speakers and practical examples of collaboration at the intersection of food, health, social justice, and planetary well-being. Together, we’ll explore innovative approaches to Food as Medicine, community-led initiatives, nutrition, public health, regenerative agriculture, and equitable access to healthy food. Whether you work in health care, agriculture, food production, education, research, policy, or community development, you will discover new ideas, meaningful connections, and practical strategies to advance healthier, more resilient communities. Virtual  |  Join from anywhere in the world Check out the Program: https://tinyurl.com/Food-as-Medicine-for-All

  • The Midlife Women’s Health Summit: Evidence-Based Menopause Care in the Era of Longevity Medicine

    The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City 1250 S Hayes St, Arlington, VA, United States
    Hybrid Event

    Menopause Care in the Longevity Era Longevity medicine is everywhere right now. Supplements, protocols, influencer clinics, patients walking in with questions about interventions their doctors have never heard of. What's missing from most of it is the evidence. The Midlife Women's Health Summit is three days on what the research actually says about menopause care when you add a longevity lens. What works, what doesn't, what's being oversold, and what to tell the patient sitting in front of you. Co-chaired by Lisa Larkin, MD, FACP, MSCP, IF, Jen Gunter, MD, FRCS(C), FACOG, DABPM, ABPMR, and Lauren Streicher, MD, FACOG, MSCP; three of the clearest voices in women's health on separating data from marketing.

    $995 – $1299

Full Event Calendar

Submit Your Event

Related Posts

Exposure, Activity, Contribution: Reading Epstein-Barr Findings in the Individual Patient

Robert Lamberton, BSc, FNTP – Epstein-Barr virus accounts for roughly 2% of cancers worldwide, approaching 360,000 new cases and as many as 210,000 deaths each year, and about 95% of adults carry it. In the overwhelming majority, it causes nothing at all.

When a test for an agent is positive in nearly everyone, a positive test is not a finding. It is a background condition.

Read More

Nov 14, 2026

Before Gerson: The Forgotten Medical History of Coffee Enemas

By Scott Wilson – In 1875, Dr. J.P. Thomas wrote about using coffee enemas for opium and belladonna poisoning. He referred to cases going back to 1858 and 1859 and described coffee enemas as one of the ordinary means of treatment. That word “ordinary” stopped me. He wasn’t describing an experiment. He was describing something physicians already knew.

Read More

Nov 14, 2026

0 Comments

Submit a Comment