The DUTCH Test: Understanding the “Why” Behind Your Hormones

If you’ve ever felt off but couldn’t quite explain why…low energy, stubborn weight, mood changes, poor sleep… you’re not alone.

And more importantly, there is a reason.One of the most powerful tools we use inside our wellness program to uncover that reason is the DUTCH test. This is not your typical hormone test. This is where we go deeper to uncover the root cause. 

I always believe in walking the walk for our patients. Even though I feel good overall, I wanted to experience this test firsthand and truly understand what our patients see when they go through this process. For me, there was one thing I couldn’t ignore anymore… that midday crash.

I would wake up energized, work out, feel great, and then around 3pm, I would hit a wall. Completely drained. And of course, that’s exactly when my second job of the day begins, being a mom. I really wanted to understand what was actually going on in my body. Was it stress? Was it cortisol? Was it hormonal? Or was it a combination of everything?

What Makes the DUTCH Test Different

Most people are familiar with basic bloodwork. That gives you a snapshot of your hormone levels. But the DUTCH test goes a step further. It helps us understand the why.

It shows not only how much of each hormone you have, but how your body is actually processing them. That distinction is everything because you can have “normal” levels on paper and still feel completely off. This test allows us to look deeper at cortisol, your sex hormones, and the way your body metabolizes and utilizes them. It gives us a much more complete picture of how your body is functioning day to day.

Why Cortisol Matters So Much

Cortisol is often talked about as your stress hormone, but it impacts so much more than just stress. It plays a major role in your energy, your sleep, your metabolism, and even your ability to lose weight. Ideally, your cortisol rises in the morning to help you wake up and feel energized, then gradually tapers down throughout the day so your body can wind down at night.

When I reviewed my results with Meg, our wellness nurse practitioner, everything started to make sense. My cortisol rose well in the morning, which is exactly what we want. But then it dropped significantly in the afternoon, which explained that hard crash I was feeling. And then it slightly increased again in the evening, giving me that second wind that kept me up later than I should be. Seeing that pattern on paper was incredibly validating. It connected the dots between how I was feeling and what was actually happening internally.

Who This Test Is Really For

One of the biggest misconceptions is that you have to feel “really bad” to benefit from something like this. This test is for anyone who feels like something is off or who simply wants a deeper understanding of their body.

We commonly recommend it for patients dealing with fatigue, difficulty losing weight, poor sleep, hormonal fluctuations, or high stress. It’s also incredibly helpful for women navigating perimenopause or menopause, or anyone experiencing PMS or mood changes.

Sometimes your labs come back and everything looks “normal,” but you still don’t feel like yourself. This is where the DUTCH test becomes so valuable. It gives us that next level of insight.

What Happens After the Test

The results themselves are incredibly detailed, but the most important part is understanding what they mean for you.

This is where having the right provider matters. Our Nurse Practitioners will sit down with each patient and walk through their results in a way that is clear and actionable. From there, we build a plan tailored specifically to your body. That may include targeted supplements, stress-supporting adaptogens, peptides, or even hormone replacement therapy when appropriate. Sometimes it’s also about refining the basics, improving sleep habits, supporting your body with better nutrition, and creating more balance in your day-to-day routine.

For me, it meant supporting my cortisol throughout the day, being more intentional about my sleep habits, and incorporating targeted support such as adaptogens to help stabilize my energy.

Why This Matters Long Term

What I appreciated most about this experience wasn’t just the data, it was the understanding.

Understanding how my body handles stress. Understanding why I feel the way I do at certain times of day. Understanding what I can do to support my body moving forward. This is the kind of knowledge that stays with you. It empowers you to make better decisions and to actually work with your body instead of constantly feeling like you’re fighting against it. As women, our hormones are always shifting. When you truly understand them, everything changes.

Our Approach to Wellness

Everything we do inside our wellness program is rooted in getting to the source.

Not masking symptoms. Not guessing. Understanding your body at a deeper level so we can support it in the most effective, intentional way. This is about prevention and longevity. And ultimately, this is about helping you feel your absolute best. 

If you’ve been feeling off, struggling with low energy, or just want a deeper understanding of your body, the DUTCH test is one of the most impactful places to start. We would love to help you live your longest, healthiest life. We will walk you through your results, and create a plan that is truly personalized to you.

Call or text our office at 314-200-2334 to schedule a consultation. 

XO,

Racquel