Why This Episode Matters
Hey everyone, Meryl here. Welcome to the Rebel Nutritionist Podcast. Today we are going deep into one of my favorite topics: hormones. If you have ever been told your labs are fine, but you still feel tired, moody, puffy, or just off, this episode is for you. This is part of a new series we’re launching.
It’s all about the fact that you don’t need another basic blood panel. You need a blueprint. Something that actually explains why you feel the way you do and helps finally connect the dots between your symptoms and your biochemistry.
Why Traditional Hormone Testing Falls Short
Most conventional hormone tests give you a snapshot, not the full story. You walk into the doctor’s office and discuss a single test result. It might be hormones, it might be thyroid, but you’re really only seeing one piece of what should be a much broader picture.
Sometimes functional parameters are considered, but most of the time they aren’t. Providers are simply looking for abnormal highs or lows and asking one question: are you in range or out of range? End of story. There is often no interpretation and no recommendations for what to do next.
That leaves you just as perplexed as when you walked in, especially if you’re symptomatic.
Hormones Are Dynamic, Not Static
Hormones don’t sit still for a photo. They fluctuate all day long. So when someone says, “Everything looks normal,” the question becomes: normal for who?
Averages don’t mean optimal. Traditional tests measure how much estrogen, cortisol, progesterone, or testosterone you have in your blood at one moment in time. But what if the issue isn’t how much you’re making?
What if the problem is how your body is using those hormones, clearing them, or detoxifying them? That’s a critical piece that often gets ignored.
It’s like checking the gas tank but ignoring the engine.
What the DUTCH Test Really Shows
The DUTCH test fills in many of those missing blanks. Think of it as upgrading from a black-and-white image to full-color HD.
It’s a comprehensive hormone and metabolite analysis. It doesn’t just measure hormones at a single point in time. It maps the pathways they travel, shows us their metabolites, and reveals how hormones are broken down and excreted from the body.
Key Hormones and Pathways We Analyze
We look at estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, plus their metabolites. This tells us how hormones are broken down and whether they’re being recycled or cleared properly.
We also assess cortisol rhythm. Instead of one cortisol number, we see multiple measurements throughout the day, including the cortisol awakening response. This gives insight into how well your adrenal system is adapting to stress and daily life.
If you feel wired at night, exhausted in the morning, or tired all day, these patterns often show up clearly here.
Detoxification, Liver Function, and Menopause Symptoms
We examine detoxification pathways, specifically how efficiently your liver is clearing hormones. This is especially important for women in perimenopause and menopause who experience hot flashes or night sweats.
Symptoms aren’t just about hormone levels. They’re about how your body processes those hormones. This test helps us identify whether issues are hormonal, detox-related, or rooted in something else entirely.
Energy, Nutrients, and Brain Chemistry
The DUTCH test also includes organic acid markers that give us insight into vitamin and mineral status, especially B vitamins. These markers reflect energy production and mitochondrial health.
We can assess inflammation markers and neurotransmitters, including melatonin, serotonin, adrenaline, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. These directly affect cognition, focus, memory, mood, and sleep.
Every Marker Tells a Story
Every single marker tells a story. High estrogen metabolites might signal a sluggish liver or a gut issue. Cortisol patterns might explain why you feel wired and tired, crave carbs in the afternoon, or can’t sleep at night.
This is about seeing connections. If gut issues appear, maybe a stool test is appropriate. The goal isn’t over-testing, but testing the right things at the right time.
Why Context Matters More Than Numbers
Data without context is just noise. You can’t look at a chart and fix yourself. You can’t plug numbers into ChatGPT, take a supplement, and expect everything to resolve.
Healing comes from understanding why the numbers look the way they do. When I review a DUTCH test, I’m connecting dots, not just flagging highs and lows.
If no one is connecting the dots for you, it’s time to find another practitioner.
Turning Results Into a Personalized Plan
Once we have this data, we turn it into a plan that works for you. We support hormone pathways through nutrition first, adding cruciferous vegetables, clean protein, and the right kinds of fiber.
Fiber isn’t just about digestion. It helps bind and eliminate excess hormones. We fine-tune nutrients like magnesium for stress resilience, B vitamins for methylation, and adaptogens for adrenal balance.
Sleep, Light, and Stress Regulation
Everything backs into sleep. It’s not just how long you sleep, but how well you sleep.
We evaluate melatonin, which is highly sensitive to light exposure, especially blue light. Late-night screen time directly interferes with hormone production and sleep quality.
You cannot out-supplement chronic stress or a sleep-deprived lifestyle. When the body gets what it needs, it begins to rebalance naturally.
Myth Busting: Clearing Up Common Misconceptions
Myth #1: The DUTCH test is only for women.
Not true. Men have hormones too. This test helps explain burnout, muscle loss, libido issues, adrenal fatigue, and even provides insight into prostate health.
Myth #2: It’s too expensive.
Consider the cost of years spent chasing supplements and detox fads without answers. Precision testing stops the guessing.
Myth #3: It’s only for menopause.
This test is for anyone who feels anxious, bloated, tired, or stuck. Perimenopause can last 10 to 15 years, and symptoms often appear long before menopause itself.
The Bottom Line
The DUTCH test doesn’t just give you numbers. It gives you direction. It reveals patterns behind your symptoms and helps you feel like yourself again.
Your body deserves precision, personalization, and purpose.
If you’re ready to understand what your hormones are really telling you, let’s connect. All booking details are in the show notes, and I offer a complimentary 15-minute conversation for anyone who wants to learn more.
Thanks for tuning in. Keep the questions coming. Keep questioning what you hear. Keep learning and keep taking charge of your health.
This is the Rebel Nutritionist signing off.
