Clinical Exam

Saliva Collection Instructions
Before You Collect the Samples
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Don’t eat, drink, or chew anything for at least 60 minutes before collecting samples

•

Avoid vigorous physical activity for at least 60 minutes before each collection

•

Avoid alcohol within 12 hours of saliva sample collection

•

Abstain from major dental work within 48 hours of sample collection

•

Do not brush your teeth within 45 minutes of sample collection

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Remove any lip makeup (i.e. Chap Stick, lipstick, or lip liner) before collecting sample

Collection Instructions
Collect 5 tubes of saliva on two different days within a one week period. Collect the samples at the following times 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Right when you wake up in the morning while still in bed
45 minutes after you wake up in the morning
About 4 hours after you wake up
About 10 hours after you wake up
At night when you are going to bed BEFORE you brush your teeth

Instructions for Taking Cortisol Saliva Samples
Step 1: Rinse mouth with cold water 10 minutes before collecting samples 2 through 5; sample 1 will be
collected while you are still in bed.
Step 2: Remove swab from outer packaging and place under the front of your tongue.
Step 3: Keep the swab in your mouth for 1-2 minutes to insure saturation. Make sure to keep the swab in the
same location under the front of your tongue.
Step 4: Place the swab into the swab storage tube insert, replace the cap and snap securely into the tube.
NOTE: If you collect a sample and realize that you have taken the sample incorrectly, for example, you are able
to see pieces of food, coloring or other material attached to the swab, or you have taken a sample at the wrong
time of day, or brushed your teeth just before taking the sample, simply throw the sample away and collect a new
sample; complete your log as directed.
Step 5: Complete box in saliva log corresponding to sample number. Fill in the shaded box on the “Saliva
Sample Log” including the time the sample was taken being sure to indicate ‘am’ or ‘pm’ and answering the
questions. It is very important to complete the questions on sleep and the time you woke up for sample #1. Be
sure to log any alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and over the counter medication and activity level.
Step 6: Refrigerate! Place the sample into the plastic storage bag marked with a folded paper towel and place
into a refrigerator as soon as you can.
Step 7: Mail samples. When you are ready to mail back the packet, remove the cortisol samples from the
refrigerator and place all them in the envelope marked, “Cortisol Saliva”. Be sure the Ziploc bag also has the
folded paper towel in it and seal the Ziploc bag. Finally, make sure to seal the envelope! See instructions for
returning your samples through the mail (blue form).

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  National Institutes of Health  National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences