Understanding Your Hormones With DUTCH Testing | with Angela Hywood

Hormone testing often sparks debate in the medical community due to the natural fluctuations of hormones throughout the day and month. While these changes are normal, testing can still provide meaningful insights. Testing captures a specific moment in time that can uncover patterns or imbalances that might otherwise go unnoticed.

“I am experiencing many signs of perimenopause. I can’t sleep, I’m tired all the time, I’m anxious about everything, and OMG, the flooding, clotty scary periods. I went to my doctor and asked to have my hormones tested. She refused and told me that it wouldn’t be useful because I was too young (42) and hormone levels change constantly. She did an FSH test, and it came back in the ‘normal’ range. I was offered birth control pills and an antidepressant, but I don’t want that! I know there’s something hormonal going on, and I want to get to the bottom of it. Help!”

 

If this sounds like your story, you’re not alone. This scenario is incredibly common, and many women feel dismissed when seeking answers about their hormonal health. Here’s the good news: there is a way to gain deeper insights into your hormones and uncover the root cause of your symptoms.

Why Hormone Testing Matters

The controversy in the medical community around hormone testing stems from the fact that hormones fluctuate throughout the day and month. While this is true, testing can still provide valuable insights. Think of it like a snapshot—it captures a moment in time that can reveal patterns and imbalances.

In my practice, I use DUTCH testing (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) as my go-to tool for evaluating hormonal health. Here’s why it’s a game-changer for women navigating perimenopause:

7 Ways The DUTCH Test Can Help You

1. Identify Oestrogen Dominance

Oestrogen dominance, when oestrogen outweighs progesterone, is common in perimenopause. Symptoms include heavy periods, PMS, mood swings, migraines, weight gain, and breast tenderness. The DUTCH test helps determine if oestrogen dominance is at play, allowing us to craft targeted solutions.

2. Comprehensive Cortisol Assessment

Cortisol, your stress hormone, is often blamed for fatigue and anxiety. Unlike saliva tests, the DUTCH test measures both free cortisol (the active form) and metabolised cortisol (the overall production). This full picture reveals whether your adrenal glands are overworked, underperforming, or just out of sync.

3. Clues to Thyroid and Insulin Resistance

While the DUTCH test doesn’t measure thyroid or insulin directly, it offers clues. For example, low metabolised cortisol with high free cortisol suggests sluggish cortisol clearance, often linked to thyroid dysfunction. High metabolised cortisol may hint at insulin resistance.

4. Insight into DHEA Levels

DHEA is a precursor to oestrogen and testosterone and plays a role in mood, energy, and vitality. The DUTCH test measures both DHEA and its sulphated form (DHEA-S), providing a clearer picture of your adrenal health and inflammation levels.

5. Oestrogen Detox Pathways

One of the standout features of the DUTCH test is its ability to track how your body processes and eliminates oestrogen. It evaluates:

• Phase 1: Whether oestrogen is being metabolised into protective or harmful pathways.
• Phase 2: Your methylation efficiency (a critical detox step).
• Phase 3: Gut elimination efficiency.

Addressing these phases can help reduce oestrogen dominance and lower risks of hormone-related conditions.

6. Testosterone Metabolites

The DUTCH test shows whether your body favours potent testosterone pathways (like 5a-DHT), which can cause acne, hair loss, or irritability. Understanding this allows us to adjust treatments to avoid unwanted side effects.

7. Personalised Action Plans

With all this information, we can design a personalised plan to balance your hormones naturally—without resorting to synthetic options you don’t feel comfortable with.

How the DUTCH Test Works

The best part? The DUTCH test is simple and done from the comfort of your home. You collect 4–5 dried urine samples throughout the day, send them off to the lab, and the results provide a detailed map of your hormonal landscape.

Take Charge of Your Health

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by symptoms of perimenopause and dismissed by conventional options, there’s hope. We specialise in natural hormone balancing solutions that help women feel like themselves again.

What we offer:

• Personalised consultations
• DUTCH testing and interpretation
• Custom plans for hormone and adrenal health

Take the first step toward balanced hormones and feeling your best.

You deserve to thrive in your 40s, 50s, and beyond… not just survive it! 🌿

Warmest wishes,
Angela Hywood, Clinical Director (Proudly 50, perimenopausal and thriving!!)

Take the first step toward balanced hormones and feeling your best by booking your appointment with one of perimenopause specialists book a consult with here.

We are menopause experts. We help women struggling with perimenopause and menopause symptoms find natural hormone balancing solutions so they can reclaim their sparkle.