Our laboratory provides a range of professional lab tests to assess your health. While you can order tests independently, we recommend consulting our healthcare professionals for personalized guidance. Our goal is to empower you with the information you need for informed health decisions and to offer tailored treatment plans for your optimal well-being.

Understanding Stress and Its Effects

Stress can significantly impact both physical and mental health. According to the American Institute of Stress and the APA:

  • 77% of people say stress affects their physical health.
  • 73% report it impacts their mental health.
  • 34% of adults feel overwhelmed by stress.

When stressed, the body activates several mechanisms to maintain balance. The adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, produce hormones like cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine to help cope. These hormones can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.

If stress is prolonged, these effects can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and a weakened immune system.

Adrenal and Stress Diagnosis

Physicians use adrenal and stress tests to evaluate adrenal gland function and assess how the body responds to stress. These tests offer insights into hormonal balance and help diagnose adrenal disorders and manage stress-related health issues.

These tests measure hormone levels such as cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline in the blood or urine. They help determine if the adrenal glands are functioning correctly, identify causes of symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, increased infections, or high blood pressure, and monitor the progress of adrenal disorders and stress-related conditions.

What Adrenal and Stress Test Panels Measure

Adrenal and stress tests, along with physical exams, medical history, and imaging tests (like CT scans or MRIs), help diagnose adrenal disorders and hormonal imbalances.

Anchor Medical Center offers various comprehensive panels that analyze blood, urine, saliva, or a combination to provide insights into stress-related symptoms and adrenal function.

Treatment Plans

Treatment options may include medication, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, lifestyle changes, or surgery based on the diagnosis and severity of the condition.

Common treatment components include:

  • Dietary adjustments to increase anti-inflammatory foods
  • Active relaxation techniques
  • Regular exercise
  • Ensuring adequate sleep
  • Supplements and herbal remedies to enhance resilience and support adrenal function
  • Identifying and reducing the causes of stress where possible

Tests Available at Anchor Medical Center

Cortisol Stress Hormone Test

This is a single blood marker test measuring cortisol. It can help you diagnose conditions such as adrenocortical insufficiency, Addison’s disease, adrenocortical hypersecretion, and Cushing’s syndrome.

Preparation: Fasting is not required for this blood test.
Expected Results: 3-5 business days.

Note: Our services are self-pay only and not eligible for insurance claims, including Medicare/Medicaid.

Saliva Hormone 4 Days

The Hormone Blueprint panel is a revolutionary way to understand how 11 hormones in the body are fluctuating over a four-day period.

  • 17-Hydroxyprogesterone
  • Androstenedione
  • Cortisol
  • DHEA
  • DHT
  • E1
  • E2
  • E3
  • Melatonin
  • Progesterone
  • Testosterone

🗓️ Sample Collection: You will collect saliva samples on four consecutive days.

Expected Results: 3-5 business days.

Note: Our services are self-pay only and not eligible for insurance claims, including Medicare/Medicaid.

DUTCH Complete (Dried Urine)

The DUTCH Complete™ test provides a comprehensive assessment of sex and adrenal hormones along with their metabolites. It includes:

Daily, free cortisol pattern
Organic acids
Melatonin
8-OHdG

Hormones and Metabolites Measured:

  • 16-OH-E1
  • 2-Methoxy-E1
  • 2-OH-E1
  • 2-OH-E2
  • 3-Hydroxyisovaleric Acid
  • 4-OH-E1
  • 4-OH-E2
  • 5a-Androstanediol
  • 5a-DHT
  • 5b-Androstanediol
  • 8-OHdG
  • Androsterone
  • Cortisol (Morning, Noon, Evening, Night)
  • Cortisone (Morning, Noon, Evening, Night)
  • Creatinine
  • DHEA-S
  • E1, E2, E3
  • Epi-Testosterone
  • Etiocholanolone
  • HVA
  • Indican
  • Kynurenic Acid
  • MMA
  • Melatonin
  • Progesterone
  • Pyroglutamic Acid
  • Quinolinic Acid
  • THF + THE
  • Testosterone
  • Total Estrogen
  • VMA
  • Xanthurenic Acid
  • a-Pregnanediol
  • a-THF
  • b-Pregnanediol
  • b-THE
  • b-THF

Results: Typically released to your provider 7-10 business days after samples are received at the lab.

DUTCH Adrenal (Dried Urine)

The DUTCH Adrenal provides free cortisol patterns that parallel saliva with the addition of metabolite measurements for an improved marker for total cortisol production.

Biomarkers

Cortisol Evening

Cortisol Morning

Cortisol Night

Cortisol Noon

Cortisone Evening

Cortisone Morning

Cortisone Night

Cortisone Noon

DHEA-S

THF+THE

a-THF

b-THE

b-THF

Results: Typically released to your provider 7-10 business days after samples are received at the lab.