DUTCH Testing
There are many hormones in our body who blend and work together to govern many processes. They work in symphony with each other and when balanced they can regulate and ‘harmonise’ our bodies. However, due to genetics, stress, nutritional deficiencies, toxicity and more, hormones can become unbalanced and ‘out of harmony’ with each other and cause a myriad of health concerns and conditions.
Testing for these hormones can help give clear and specific information about the imbalance and directions about how to get the hormones back in ‘harmony’. Various tests are outlined below.
Testing for these hormones can help give clear and specific information about the imbalance and directions about how to get the hormones back in ‘harmony’. Various tests are outlined below.
DUTCH Test
Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH) testing provides the most comprehensive look at estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, as well as adrenal hormones, along with their metabolites, to identify symptoms of hormonal imbalances. These are available in one test, which means more effective treatments.
There are other DUTCH markers available too that help uncover added information about mood, sleep, and various stressors in the body. These are: markers that measure the oxidative stress and glutathione in the body / Melatonin hormone levels / Markers assessing levels of vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 / Neurotransmitter levels are also assessed - serotonin / dopamine / norepinephrine/epinephrine.
Samples are easily collected in the comfort of your own home, and then sent for collection and analysis. This comprehensive testing is a game-changer when addressing hormonal imbalances, fatigue, stress levels and adrenal health issues, hormonal detoxification pathways, oxidative stress that can lead to ill-health and neurotransmitter imbalances and mood issues.
There are other DUTCH markers available too that help uncover added information about mood, sleep, and various stressors in the body. These are: markers that measure the oxidative stress and glutathione in the body / Melatonin hormone levels / Markers assessing levels of vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 / Neurotransmitter levels are also assessed - serotonin / dopamine / norepinephrine/epinephrine.
Samples are easily collected in the comfort of your own home, and then sent for collection and analysis. This comprehensive testing is a game-changer when addressing hormonal imbalances, fatigue, stress levels and adrenal health issues, hormonal detoxification pathways, oxidative stress that can lead to ill-health and neurotransmitter imbalances and mood issues.
2: 16 Urinary Oestrogen Metabolites Test
This test is also done within the DUTCH test seen below and shows oestrogen metabolism in men and women, which may be of great importance in determining those patients at high risk of hormone imbalance. High levels of circulating oestrogens are proliferative and potentially dangerous, so it is important that they are broken down efficiently and effectively removed from the body.
THE ADRENAL HORMONE TESTING
- The Adrenal Hormone Profile is a non-invasive saliva and urine test which monitors the levels of the stress hormones, Cortisol and DHEA-S, over the course of a day.
- This is an important test to gauage gauge adrenal function in patients presenting with symptoms such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, insomnia, headaches, low energy, stress, hormonal imbalance, poor immune function, fatigue and disordered blood glucose regulation.
- Altered levels of Cortisol and DHEA-S are indicative of acute and/or chronic mental and/or physical stress.
- This is the most potent hormone produced by adrenal glands
- We produce 30mg daily but can produce up to 200mg in periods of stress
- Cortisol affects immune function / glucose regulation / vascular tone / bone metabolism /carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism
- Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) is vital to assessing adrenal health
- DHEA-S is the main androgen in both men and women and its levels decline with age
- A decline in DHEA will result in abnormal oestrogen / testosterone / progesterone
- Reduced levels of DHEA-S may result in fatigue, poor immune function, weight gain, increased ageing, memory loss and poor concentration.
- DHEA decline is associated with osteoporosis / CVD / autoimmunity / diabetes / thyroid disease / Alzheimer's /breast cancer
Melatonin Testing
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Melatonin Testing
Melatonin is a neuropeptide predominantly produced by the pineal gland. It is secreted in a distinct circadian rhythm - stimulated by darkness, inhibited by light and independent of sleep. The phase of the circadian rhythm is influenced by day length or artificial light. |
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The levels of melatonin in the body tend to decrease with age and low levels may result in sleep disturbances such as insomnia, poor immune function, depression and other mood disorders.
Due to its circadian rhythm, melatonin is collected at midnight in the dark and again on rising.
Due to its circadian rhythm, melatonin is collected at midnight in the dark and again on rising.
Thyroid Hormone Profile
This blood test measures the levels of unbound free hormones which are available to the tissues,and reflects a true measure of the body’s metabolic rate. Testing is for the thyroid hormones TSH, T4,T3, rT3 as well as thyroid antibodies - TPO, TgAb and TRABsAb.
Disorders of the thyroid are among the most common diseases of the endocrine glands, particularly in women.
Thyroid function decreases with age and an underactive thyroid / hypothyroidism is most common in menopausal and post-menopausal women.
Symptoms
Disorders of the thyroid are among the most common diseases of the endocrine glands, particularly in women.
Thyroid function decreases with age and an underactive thyroid / hypothyroidism is most common in menopausal and post-menopausal women.
Symptoms
- Symptoms of underactive thyroid include dry and coarse skin, weakness and lethargy, constipation, weight gain, slow pulse, heavy and irregular periods and depression.
- Symptoms of overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis) include fast metabolic rate, rapid heartbeat, nervousness and palpitations, weight loss despite increased appetite and frequent bowel movements
