Why get a DUTCH hormone test? Women often come to see me feeling exhausted, overworked, overwhelmed and feeling hormonally out of sync. They may be suffering from PMS, irregular periods, mood changes, anxiety, overwhelming sadness, weight gain, anger exhaustion, hot flashes, endometriosis… the list goes on. Often times the only solution that has been offered is the brith control pill or antidepressants to mask the symptoms. I recommend starting with hormone testing to gain a complete picture of what is going on so that we can better assess how to help.
The Dutch test is by far the most comprehensive specialized form of hormone testing. This dried urine test provides a complete picture of not only sex and adrenal hormone levels. The analysis provides a map of levels of each hormone in the pathway of how they are made and their breakdown products. A complete test also evaluates additional organic acids and oxidative stress. This diagnostic profile can help to guide a practitioner in creating a care plan to balance hormones.
Why DUTCH Hormone Testing Better?
The Dutch test is more beneficial than blood or saliva testing. Blood and saliva testing provides a very limited view of hormones only testing a few hormone levels. Dutch testing measures multiple hormones and all the intermediary metabolites over a longer period of time to assess changes in cortisol throughout the day. Practitioners can get a complete map of hormones and understand the root of where imbalances may be arising. Results provide more in-depth information about a patients hormonal issues and allows their doctors to make informed decisions for treatment plans based on scientific evidence.
Who Benefits from Complete Hormone Testing?
DUTCH test are beneficial to people who have menstrual irregularity, suffer from PMS, experience chronic fatigue or struggle with infertility. Testing is also benefit patients experiencing chronic fatigue, have low libido, experienced unexplained weight gain, or need support with perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms. Modern medicine addresses most hormonal imbalance issues by using medications such as the birth control pill or antidepressants to mask problems. Testing identifies the root cause of symptoms. Results can also help to identify issues such as PCOS or causes of irregular menstrual cycles and infertility. Assessing hormonal imbalances can also help to assess new medication or nutrient supplementation that a can help to guide lifestyle changes, food choices and supplementation.
The Dutch tests uses urine to measure all sex hormones including progesterone, estrogen, cortisol, DHEA-S, testosterone and other sex hormone metabolites. It also measures adrenal stress marker. People who have been diagnosed with adrenal fatigue may use Dutch testing to distinguish between those who truly do have low cortisol and those that are being treated for the wrong condition. Panels also include hormone metabolites. This helps doctors better understand hormone imbalances and create more effective treatment strategies. Dutch testing is especially beneficial for women who have been trying to conceive. Results can help pinpoint the root cause of infertility and recommend a treatment plan to help women get pregnant quickly.
For more information or to find out if Dutch Panels are right for you, see our hormone testing options online. You can also book an appointment with one of our Naturopathic Doctors today. We want to help you to get on the path to rebalancing your hormone health.