With April showers comes May flowers. With May flowers comes our fifth and final speaker in the Mojo and Moxie speaker series. Discovering the DUTCH Test with local Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Rabia Meghji of Docere Wellness Center.
This test got the attention of some of our Instagram followers a few months back with I (Danni) decided to have the test done to see what is going on hormonally with my body. You know perimenopause stuff…Well it definitely opened my eyes on how detailed this test was. So we though with the interest it was having that we would bring in a professional in the field to chat with us about it.
What is the DUTCH Test?
The DUTCH test is a ‘dried urine test for comprehensive hormones‘. This test is a very comprehensive test that tests three groups – sex hormones, adrenal hormones and organic acids
What exactly does it test for?
Estrogen makers (E1 – estrone, E2 – Estradiol, E3 – Estriol). All three work together and knowing the levels of each is important. Estradiol is the strongest estrogen. Estrone is the bad estrogen and estriol is the good one. Symptoms of low estrogen can be hot flashes, night sweats, bone loss, vaginal dryness. High estrogen levels can cause PMS, fibroids, cysts, migraines.
Progesterone levels. Low progesterone can lead to PMS, moodiness, anxiety, insomnia.
Androgens (DHEA and Testosterone). Elevated androgens can cause hair loss, anger or irritability. Fatigue, poor libido, low muscle mass, depression can be a symptom of low levels of androgens.
Adrenal function tests for levels of cortisol throughout the day. Cortisol levels fluctuate through the day and can play a part in insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, frequent illness and stress levels. (learn more about adrenal function in a previous post – Adrenal and Thyroid Health.)
Nutritional Organic Acids – the third part of the DUTCH test, tests B12, B6, Glutathione levels, Neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine), Oxidative stress levels and Melatonin.
Who would need to take this test?
If you are someone who has one of the following conditions:
- infertility
- endometriosis
- PCOS
- amenorrhea
- uterine fibroids
- PMS
- PMDD
- ovarian cysts
- fibro cycstic breast disease
- insomnia
- perimenopause/postmenopausal
It is also a useful test for men in helping to treat andropause, depression/anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, weight management, decreased muscle mass, fertility issues.
As this is just a quick overview of our discovering the DUTCH test with Dr. Meghji. You can also watch the full episode with Q & A after on our Facebook page here.
If this is test that might have peaked your interest, please talk to your health care professional to determine if it is the right test for you.
If you missed any of our other speaker series events or just want to jog your memory of who we chatted with, check out the following links:
Staying Fit in Your 40’s and Beyond
Pelvic Floor Health for Midlife Women
Three Things Your Teens Wish You Knew
Things I Wish I Knew About an Emptier Nest
Danni and Christine
XOXO
