How the DUTCH PLUS® Test Can Help | Balance Your Hormones Naturally?

Hormonal imbalances like hair loss, acne, mood swings, reduced libido, insomnia, and more are such common issues that one in three adults experiences them at some point in their lives. At times, it becomes really difficult to understand why you feel a certain way and where these conditions stem from. Many of these conditions can be hard to figure out just by using traditional diagnostic tests. This is where the DUTCH PLUS® test shines. Let’s understand what it is and why it is needed in present times.

What is the DUTCH PLUS® Test?

The full form of the DUTCH test is the Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones. It is an advanced hormone panel that includes a detailed assessment of Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), showing how your body manages stress and maintains balance. Hormone levels in your body are linked to your stress response, sleep-wake cycles, hair loss, anxiety, irregular periods, and more. This test is ideal if you're dealing with anxiety, sleep issues, adrenal fatigue, or poor reproductive health. The DUTCH PLUS test goes beyond the standard DUTCH Complete by offering a more advanced panel that includes CAR.

The Difference Between Conventional Blood Hormone Tests and the DUTCH Plus Test

While conventional blood tests are available locally to measure hormones, why choose DUTCH Plus? Hormonal imbalances significantly affect people through mood swings, energy shifts, and metabolic dysfunctions. Traditional blood tests give a snapshot of hormone levels at a single point in time, but this method has limitations. The DUTCH Plus Test, by analyzing hormone metabolites and patterns over 24 hours, offers a more dynamic view of hormonal health, capturing daily fluctuations and metabolism insights. Here are the differences:

Is the DUTCH PLUS® Test Beneficial for Menopause?

Yes, the DUTCH PLUS® Test from Precision Analytical is highly beneficial for evaluating hormonal health during perimenopause and menopause. It provides a comprehensive look into sex hormones, metabolic pathways, and adrenal function during these transitional stages.

Menopause, the end of menstrual cycles, brings a decline in ovarian hormone production and symptoms such as mood swings, hot flashes, and sleep disturbances. Perimenopause, the phase before menopause, involves fluctuating hormone levels, increased stress sensitivity, and irregular periods. The DUTCH PLUS® Test evaluates over 35 hormones, including progesterone, testosterone, estrogen, DHEA-S, and cortisol, among other metabolites. This in-depth analysis is crucial for understanding hormonal fluctuations during menopause.

Some of the general benefits of DUTCH PLUS® are as follows:

• Insights on mood and cognitive function
• Enhanced assessment of sleep quality
• Well-comprehended hormonal analysis as fluctuation of hormones is assessed throughout the day, providing a clear picture
• Early detection of risks and problems related to estrogen
• Cortisol assessment in detail
• Organic acid testing, a component of the DUTCH Plus® test, assesses indicators of neurotransmitter function, indirect testing of vitamin B12 and B6 levels, and oxidative stress
• Helps you make a personalized treatment plan
• Suitable for functional nutrition approach
• Based on this test you can use appropriate natural and medical interventions to fix your hormonal health

Is the DUTCH PLUS® Test Suitable for Men?

DUTCH PLUS® Test is suitable for men as it provides valuable insights into different aspects of male hormonal health. There is a common misconception that it is only done for women, but it is as important for men as for women. Men also suffer from issues like hair loss, insomnia, reproductive health disorders, and more.
Men’s testosterone levels decline naturally by approximately 1-2% per year. This gradual decrease can lead to symptoms such as reduced muscle mass, increased abdominal fat, fatigue, brain fog, and low libido—known as andropause.
Along with these factors, poor diet, lack of exercise, chronic stress, and environmental toxins can lead to hormonal imbalances. The DUTCH Plus® test provides an enhanced analysis of 35 hormones and metabolites, adrenal hormones, organic acids, and sex hormones.

Is the DUTCH PLUS® Test Genuine?

Yes, researchers believe it is an accurate test. The test is provided by Precision Analytical Labs in the USA. DUTCH PLUS® test kit provides better insights than other hormonal testing methods. This helps professionals in healthcare provide personalized diets, lifestyle changes, and supplements. It combines saliva & urine tests to give more accurate results.

Can the DUTCH PLUS® Test Help Support Hormone Balance?

The DUTCH PLUS® test helps support hormone balance as it offers an extensive analysis of different hormones and their metabolites, providing insights into metabolism and hormone production. As discussed above, over 35 hormones are measured, including:

• Estrogen Metabolites (10 markers)
• Androgen Markers (8 markers)
• Progesterone (2 markers)
• Cortisol (3 markers)

By using this data, practitioners can analyze the root causes of hormonal imbalances and create a customized dietary protocol for their clients.

Is the DUTCH PLUS® Test Right for Me?

If you are suffering from hormonal imbalance, reproductive health issues, stress intolerance, adrenal dysfunction, PCOS, PMS & Menopause, liver dysfunctions, methylation issues, insomnia, etc., the DUTCH Plus test is for you.
You can also contact the iThrive team and learn more about this test and what conditions it is most helpful for.

The DUTCH PLUS® Test and Functional Nutrition

When it comes to hormone testing, the DUTCH PLUS® test is a crucial tool among functional nutrition practitioners for diagnosing hormonal imbalances and related conditions. With the root cause analysis approach, nutritionists get a clear picture of underlying causes of symptoms such as mood swings, weight gain, fatigue, and reproductive issues.

The inclusion of organic acid testing allows for evaluation of oxidative stress, nutritional deficiencies, and neurotransmitter imbalances—vital for personal dietary and supplement strategies. For instance, elevated MMA levels suggest a deficiency in vitamin B12.

By evaluating Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) and overall cortisol patterns, the DUTCH Plus® test gives a comprehensive view of adrenal function. This supports functional nutrition strategies, including the use of bioidentical hormones to treat hormonal imbalance.

With detailed metabolic and hormonal data, healthcare providers can create individualized plans targeting specific imbalances. For example, if CAR is low, dietary adjustments like adding adaptogenic herbs, reducing caffeine, and improving sleep can enhance stress resilience and adrenal health.

Are you ready to take charge of your hormones? Book your free consultation with iThrive today.

Conclusion

The DUTCH Plus® test provides a complete and insightful approach to understanding and balancing your hormones naturally. Analyzing over 35 hormones and metabolites, inclusive of cortisol patterns, sex hormones, and organic acids, provides a better idea of hormonal health. Equipped with this comprehensive data, medical professionals can create wellness and nutrition plans that are specific to your hormonal profile. The DUTCH Plus® test is a useful tool for promoting natural hormone balance and general well-being, regardless of whether you're looking to improve your health or are experiencing symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances.

References

1. Embracing-Nutrition. (2024, June 26). What is the DUTCH test and can it support hormone balance? Embracing Nutrition & Functional Medicine. https://embracingnutrition.co.uk/what-is-the-dutch-test-and-can-it-support-hormone-balance/
2. Newman, M., & Curran, D. A. (2021). Reliability of a dried urine test for comprehensive assessment of urine hormones and metabolites. BMC Chemistry, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-021-00744-3