The Dutch Test for a Detailed Look at Your Hormones

The Dutch Test gave me the clearest snapshot of what my hormones and adrenals were doing.

The subject of hormones is something I could talk about endlessly, mainly because I am frustrated by the way this aspect of my health has been handled for far too long. After years of fighting autoimmune problems, my body has felt somewhat shut down. I knew my adrenals were in fatigue and I was having an outset of other hormonal related symptoms, but because my autoimmune and autonomic problems were getting treated, this came second.

Years ago I saw doctor I saw an male endocrinologist who came highly recommended to me. I was very anxious for the appointment and arrived hoping I would get the specialized level of care I was expecting, only to have what I was saying basically shrugged off because it wasn’t deemed ‘incredibly important’ compared to everything else. Needless to say, it was one of the most frustrated I have ever been with a doctor. I had been waiting for that specific appointment for months and remember leaving the office feeling crushed, not validated, and frustrated to the point of tears. This respected doctors wouldn’t take me seriously or give me tests to get to the bottom of my symptoms, and it left me feeling completely powerless.

Hormones being out of whack can be the difference between a happy and an unhappy state of mind. They affect your physical appearance, mental state, energy level, and so much more. I am very hopeful that medicine goes in the direction of putting a high level of importance behind female hormones, but I have found that as of yet, there are few doctors out there who will give the adequate amount of testing and care needed to get to the bottom of these issues.

A few months ago, a friend of mine told me that their doctor in San Francisco ordered some tests for them that they found incredibly helpful in figuring out their hormonal and adrenal issues. I was instantly intrigued. He very sweetly put me in touch with this doctor who explained the test over the phone to me, and I ordered it that day.

It’s called the Dutch Test and it stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones. It’s a test you take over the course of a few days by urinating on little strips of paper at specifically indicated times, then simply sending it back to the company (with a prepackaged envelope they provide) when you’re all done.

“Millions of women suffer from hormonal imbalances. Whether it is menopause, weight gain, fatigue, low libido, premenstrual symptoms (PMS), mood swings, or depression, these symptoms can lead to more serious problems if misdiagnosed. Identifying the root cause of chronic health issues is certainly correctable, but only if properly identified. The DUTCH test was created to provide insight into many of these concerns, working to deliver the most complete assessment of sex and adrenal hormones, along with their metabolites, in one easy to administer test. No blood to draw, spitting in tubes or filling up jugs of urine. Our dried urine collection process is great for baseline measurements of women with hormonal imbalances and for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) monitoring. After utilizing the DUTCH test, you will be able to work with your medical provider to continue to track and evaluate hormone levels, ensuring they are at their optimum balance.”

I love his test because not only is it incredibly accurate and shows the whole spectrum of adrenal and sex hormones, but it also shows the way your body metabolizes them so you’re not getting any misleading numbers. What makes me most excited about this test though, is that it gives the patients the power. You have the ability to say what you want to get checked, purchase the test, and do it on your own. No doctor needs to decide what they want to order for you.

I recently got my results back (all 14 pages of it!) and now can begin to treat all my hormones that are in need of tweaking. I’m so pleased to be able to actually see the results of what I hypothesized in my mind for so long. You can choose from 7 different test (I did the Dutch Complete Test), and although the test are expensive, the information given is so valuable and detailed that to me, it was worth every penny.

-Em