DUTCH Plus Panel:
The DUTCH Plus® takes hormone testing to a whole new level. In addition to sex hormones and their metabolites, the DUTCH CompleteTM looks at the overall diurnal pattern of free cortisol, and the total and distribution of cortisol metabolites. The DUTCH Plus® adds the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) to bring another important piece of the HPA-axis into focus. Additionally, the daily (diurnal) pattern of free cortisol is included, along with melatonin (6-OHMS), 8-OHdG, and six organic acids. This unique combination of clinical information is not available by any other method.
A low or blunted Cortisol Awakening Response can be a result of an underactive HPA axis, excessive psychological burnout, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), sleep apnea or poor sleep in general, PTSD, chronic fatigue and/or chronic pain. A decreased CAR has also been associated with systemic hypertension, functional GI diseases, postpartum depression, and autoimmune diseases.
An elevated Cortisol Awakening Response can be a result of an over-reactive HPA axis, ongoing job- related stress (anticipatory stress for the day), glycemic dysregulation, pain (i.e. waking with painful joints or a migraine), and general depression (not SAD). A recent study1 showed that neither the waking nor post-waking cortisol results correlated to Major Depressive Disorder, but the CAR calculation (the change between the first two samples) did.
This measurement of the response to waking has independent clinical value showing dysfunction that may be hidden by current testing options.
What’s Included in the DUTCH Plus®:
The DUTCH Plus® uses four dried urine samples and five saliva samples. These samples are collected over the course of one day, from waking to bed time.
The DUTCH Plus® report includes:
Metabolites of Estrogens (10, including E1, E2, E3, 2-OHE1, 4- OH-E1, 2-OH-E2, 4-OH-E2, 16-OH-E1, 2-methoxy-E1, 2- methoxy-E2) , Androgens (8, including Testosterone, DHT and DHEA-S), Progesterone (2), Cortisol (3), Melatonin (6OHMS), 8- OHdG, and OATs (6). The diurnal pattern of Free Cortisol and Cortisone are also provided, including the Cortisol Awakening Response.
