Since I work with people with complex heath issues, I sometimes suggest appropriate lab testing. This can include hormone testing. The test results can really help to identify underlying causes of chronic illness. When it comes to formulating a treatment protocol for you I believe it is better to test, than to guess.
Hormone testing can be useful for men and women. I’m talking here about the reproductive and adrenal hormones. The hormone testing I use in my practice is the DUTCH test. DUTCH stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones. This unique testing was developed by the lab Precision Analytical, in the US. It is simply the best hormone testing available. Providing a complete assessment of sex and adrenal hormones and their metabolites.
Why are these hormones important?
Hormones are chemical messengers in the body. They are present in tiny amounts. Yet they co-ordinate and regulate the important body processes such as reproduction, sleep and immune function.
Who should have the DUTCH test?
- Are you always tired, no matter how much sleep you have had?
- Do you struggle to get to sleep or stay asleep?
- Are you struggling to lose weight?
- Do you have mood swings, anxiety, depression or PMS?
- Are you having fertility problems?
- Do you have a history of, or family history of breast cancer or other hormone-related cancer?
In addition, the DUTCH test includes hormone metabolites. These are the products of hormone metabolism it can indicate how well your detoxification systems are working. This can be important because if the liver is not detoxifying oestrogen well, you could have higher risk of oestrogen-related cancers such as breast cancer.
Having your hormones tested can guide the treatment protocol and helps to ensure that your hormones are at optimum levels. Testing can also be used to track your treatment progress.
The results of the DUTCH hormone testing can help me to provide you with a more tailored treatment program. So that the herbal and nutritional support I recommend is specific to you.
The lab offers several different test panels. The test I most often recommend is the DUTCH complete test. It has a simple sample collection procedure. Complete instructions are provided with the kit.
Hormones included in the DUTCH complete test
- Cortisol and cortisone
- Oestrogen as oestradiol, oestrone and oestriol
Once you have the results I can interpret them for you and provide you with a treatment protocol. Your test results are unique and so your treatment is too. The results help to guide and prioritise your treatment. Depending on your hormone test results I might recommend dietary changes, supplements, herbal medicines or lifestyle strategies such as getting more rest, sleep or stress management techniques.
The DUTCH complete test costs £259.