Description
Melatonin is a hormone made by the pineal gland, a small gland in the brain. Your body’s internal clock (also known as your circadian rhythm) influences how much melatonin the pineal gland makes, and so does the amount of light that you’re exposed to each day.
Typically, melatonin levels start to rise in the mid-to-late evening, after the sun has set. They stay elevated for most of the night while you’re in the dark. Then, they drop in the early morning as the sun rises, causing you to awaken.
Symptoms of low melatonin include difficulty falling and staying asleep, feeling awake instead of sleepy after 10 pm, feeling tired during the day, forgetfulness and higher susceptibility to colds and flu (lower immunity)
This lab test includes:
- Saliva collection tube for Melatonin
