# DUTCH Adrenal Test - Link: https://myorchidwellness.com/dutch-adrenal-test/ - Published: 2026-05-25T23:02:15-05:00 - Author: Chelsea šŸ‘©šŸ¾ā€šŸ’» Telehealth available in TX, NY, VA & DC, including **weekends & evening hours** at [telehealth.myorchidwellness.com](https://telehealth.myorchidwellness.com) [Home](https://myorchidwellness.com/)/[Functional Wellness](https://myorchidwellness.com/functional-wellness/)/ DUTCH Adrenal Functional Adrenal Testing Ā ā€¢Ā  Carrollton, TX & Telehealth # DUTCH Adrenal Test:āŽ _Map Your Cortisol Rhythm_ Youā€™ve been told your cortisol is normal, but one morning blood draw canā€™t tell the full story. The DUTCH Adrenal maps your cortisol and DHEA across four points in the day, showing how your stress response (HPA axis) is really working. Home Collection Kit No Blood Draw Four Time Points Cortisol Rhythm DHEA Assessment Telehealth Available [Book Your $250 Consultation](https://myorchidwellness.com/dutch-adrenal-test/#book) [What It Measures](https://myorchidwellness.com/dutch-adrenal-test/#measures) About DUTCH Adrenal ## Your stress responseāŽ _leaves a pattern._ The DUTCH Adrenal is a dried urine test from Precision Analytical that measures cortisol and DHEA at four points throughout the day. Instead of a single morning snapshot, it maps your cortisol curve from waking through bedtime, showing how your stress response system is functioning across a normal day. Cortisol is your primary stress hormone, made by your adrenal glands. In a healthy pattern, it peaks within 30 to 45 minutes of waking, declines steadily through the afternoon, and reaches its lowest point at bedtime. When that rhythm is disrupted, it may contribute to symptoms that are often dismissed, including fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, poor stress recovery, brain fog, and burnout. At Orchid Wellness, the DUTCH Adrenal is ordered through your $250 functional consultation with Chelsea Asante, FNP-C. The test is billed separately, and your results are reviewed live, in person in Carrollton or by telehealth across Texas, New York, Virginia, and Washington DC. [Book Your Consultation](https://myorchidwellness.com/dutch-adrenal-test/#book) DUTCH Adrenal Focused Adrenal and Cortisol Assessment Home collection at four points throughout the day Maps the full cortisol curve from waking through bedtime Cortisol metabolites reflecting overall cortisol production DHEA-S and DHEA metabolites Results reviewed live with Chelsea Asante, FNP-C Starts With Your Functional Consultation $250 Consultation fee. The DUTCH Adrenal is billed separately. HSA, FSA, and [Cherry payment plans](https://myorchidwellness.com/cherry/) accepted. Why DUTCH Adrenal ## What one morning cortisol testāŽ _canā€™t show you._ A standard cortisol blood test captures one moment, usually in the morning. The DUTCH Adrenal captures a full day. Here is what each approach shows. | What is assessed | Standard Blood Test | DUTCH Adrenal | | Cortisol level | Single morning snapshot | āœ“Four points across the full day | | Cortisol awakening response | Not captured | āœ“Waking peak assessed | | Afternoon decline | Not captured | āœ“Rate and pattern of decline tracked | | Evening cortisol | Not captured | āœ“Bedtime level measured | | Cortisol metabolites | Not measured | āœ“Overall cortisol production and clearance | | DHEA | Single serum draw | āœ“DHEA-S plus DHEA metabolites | | Daily rhythm patterns | Not visible from one draw | āœ“Flat, inverted, or high patterns shown across the day | Cortisol Patterns ## Your cortisol has a story.āŽ _This is how we read it._ Daily cortisol rhythms often fall into recognizable patterns. Seeing yours helps Chelsea tailor your plan. šŸ“‰ ### Flat Cortisol Curve Cortisol stays low and fairly flat through the day without a clear morning peak. This pattern is often seen after prolonged stress, poor sleep, or illness. Often associated with FatigueLow motivationPoor stress toleranceTrouble getting going šŸŒ™ ### Inverted Cortisol Curve Cortisol is low in the morning when it should be high, and higher at night when it should be low. This can disrupt sleep, make mornings hard, and create a wired- but-tired feeling. Often associated with Hard to wake upNight owl patternInsomniaWired at bedtime šŸ“ˆ ### Elevated Cortisol Cortisol stays high through much of the day, reflecting a stress response stuck in the on position. It can look normal on a single morning draw. Often associated with AnxietyAbdominal weight gainBlood sugar swingsInsomnia āš” ### High Morning, Rapid Drop Cortisol peaks normally in the morning but drops too quickly, leaving you energized early and crashing by midday. Often associated with Afternoon crashMid-day irritabilityCravings by 3pmEnergy dips between meals ā¬‡ļø ### Low DHEA with Normal Cortisol DHEA is cortisolā€™s counterbalancing repair hormone. Low DHEA, even with normal cortisol, may contribute to fatigue, low libido, and slower recovery. Often associated with Low libidoPoor recoveryLow moodMuscle loss šŸ”„ ### Variable Pattern Some people show cortisol with no consistent rhythm, often linked to irregular sleep schedules, shift work, ongoing anxiety, or unmanaged health conditions. Often associated with Unpredictable energyMood swingsSleep disruptionIrregular appetite What It Measures ## Everything DUTCH AdrenalāŽ _measures._ The DUTCH Adrenal is a focused panel. It measures fewer markers than DUTCH Complete but looks closely at cortisol and DHEA. If your main concerns are hormone-related, such as PMS, perimenopause, or HRT monitoring, Chelsea may recommend DUTCH Complete instead. Sometimes both are ordered. ā±ļø ### Free Cortisol at Four Time Points Free cortisol measured at waking, morning, afternoon, and bedtime maps your full daily rhythm and shows how it compares to a healthy curve. May reveal patterns like: Cortisol awakening responseDaily rhythm šŸ“Š ### Cortisol Metabolites Total cortisol metabolites reflect how much cortisol your adrenal glands produce overall, separate from how quickly your body clears it. May reveal patterns like: Overall cortisol productionClearance šŸ”„ ### Cortisone Metabolites Cortisone is the inactive form of cortisol. The balance between the two reflects enzyme activity that can be relevant to metabolism and inflammation. May reveal patterns like: Cortisol to cortisone balance šŸ›”ļø ### DHEA-S DHEA-S is the storage form of DHEA and the most abundant adrenal hormone. It reflects adrenal androgen output and the balance between stress and repair hormones. May reveal patterns like: Adrenal outputStress and repair balance šŸ§¬ ### DHEA Metabolites Androsterone and etiocholanolone show how DHEA is processed downstream, adding detail to your adrenal hormone picture. May reveal patterns like: DHEA processing Who Itā€™s For ## For patients whose energyāŽ _never fully recovered._ šŸ˜“ ### Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Exhaustion that doesnā€™t improve with rest, sleep, or time off, often after long periods of stress. šŸ˜° ### Anxiety and Poor Stress Recovery Strong stress reactions, trouble bouncing back after stressful events, and feeling constantly on edge. šŸŒ™ ### Insomnia and Sleep Disruption Trouble falling asleep, waking at 2 or 3am, or feeling wired at bedtime, which can be linked to high evening cortisol. āš” ### Wired but Tired Exhausted during the day but unable to wind down at night. A common sign of cortisol rhythm changes. šŸ¬ ### Blood Sugar and Cravings Afternoon crashes, strong carbohydrate cravings, or feeling shaky when meals are missed can track with cortisol rhythm. šŸ’†šŸ¾ ### Long-Term Stress or Illness Recovering from illness, grief, caregiving, workplace stress, or years of poor sleep, where DUTCH Adrenal can help show HPA axis changes. The Process ## From consultationāŽ _to answers._ 01 Book Your Consultation Book your $250 functional consultation and complete your intake through your patient portal. Chelsea determines whether the DUTCH Adrenal is right for you. The test is billed separately. 02 Receive Your Kit A DUTCH Adrenal kit is mailed to you with filter paper strips, instructions, and a prepaid return mailer. 03 Collect at Four Time Points Collect urine on the filter paper strips at four set times on a typical day. Strips air dry and are mailed to the lab. 04 Live Results Review Results typically return in about 2 to 3 weeks. Chelsea reviews your cortisol pattern with you and builds a targeted plan. Before You Collect ## How to _prepare._ Waking Right after waking, before eating, drinking, or activity. Captures your cortisol awakening response. Morning About 2 hours after waking. Captures cortisol as it comes down from its morning peak. Afternoon Later in the day, at the time listed in your kit. Captures your afternoon cortisol level. Bedtime Right before bed. Shows whether cortisol has declined the way it should. Exact collection times are listed in your kit instructions. * Collect on a typical day that reflects your normal routine and stress level. * Avoid vigorous exercise, alcohol, and excess caffeine on collection day. * Stop biotin supplements 72 hours before collecting, since biotin can interfere with results. * Chelsea will tell you which medications and supplements may affect cortisol. Never stop a prescription medication without talking with her first. * Donā€™t collect during an acute illness, after travel across time zones, or within a week of a major stressful event. * If you work night shifts or keep an unusual sleep schedule, Chelsea will give you adjusted collection times. Good to Know ## Results, cost, _and safety._ * Results typically return in about 2 to 3 weeks after the lab receives your sample. * Functional testing is direct-pay and not typically covered by insurance. HSA and FSA cards are accepted. * Home kits are mailed to patients in Texas, New York, Virginia, and Washington DC. **Please note:** The DUTCH Adrenal shows your daily cortisol pattern. It does not diagnose adrenal diseases such as Addisonā€™s disease or Cushingā€™s syndrome; if those are a concern, Chelsea will order standard diagnostic testing. Steroid medications, including inhalers and creams, can affect results, so tell Chelsea about any you use. Explore All Functional Tests ## Other testing availableāŽ _at Orchid Wellness._ The DUTCH Adrenal is one of several functional tests available through your $250 functional consultation. [Learn about functional wellness](https://myorchidwellness.com/functional-wellness/) HTMA Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Mineral levels and ratios, plus possible heavy metal exposure patterns, from a small hair sample. Learn more ā€ŗ DUTCH Complete DUTCH Complete Hormone Panel One of the most comprehensive functional hormone tests: sex hormones, cortisol rhythm, melatonin, and metabolites. Learn more ā€ŗ DUTCH Adrenal DUTCH Adrenal Panel Cortisol and DHEA across the day to show how your stress response (HPA axis) is functioning. You are here GI-MAP GI-MAP Stool Analysis DNA-based gut assessment covering the microbiome, pathogens, inflammation, and digestion. Learn more ā€ŗ IgG / IgA Food Sensitivity Panel Delayed food reactivity that can guide a structured elimination and reintroduction plan. Learn more ā€ŗ OAT Organic Acids Test Urine-based look at energy production, neurotransmitter metabolites, B vitamins, and yeast markers. Learn more ā€ŗ Micronutrient Intracellular Micronutrient Panel Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids measured at the cellular level. Learn more ā€ŗ MTHFR MTHFR and Methylation Panel Genetic variants in your methylation pathway, interpreted alongside homocysteine, folate, and B12. Learn more ā€ŗ Frequently Asked Questions ## DUTCH Adrenal _FAQ_ The DUTCH Adrenal is a dried urine test that measures cortisol and DHEA at four points throughout the day. It maps your cortisol rhythm from waking through bedtime, showing patterns in your stress response (HPA axis) that a single morning blood draw can miss. DUTCH Adrenal focuses on cortisol rhythm, cortisol metabolites, and DHEA, and is often the right starting point when fatigue, burnout, anxiety, and stress response are the main concerns. DUTCH Complete includes all of that plus sex hormones, hormone metabolites, melatonin, and an oxidative stress marker. Chelsea will recommend the right test during your consultation, and in some cases both are ordered. No. ā€œAdrenal fatigueā€ is not a recognized medical diagnosis, and we donā€™t use it as one. What the DUTCH Adrenal measures is real: your daily cortisol rhythm and how your stress response system (the HPA axis) is functioning. Chelsea interprets that pattern alongside your symptoms and history, and orders standard testing if a true adrenal condition is suspected. Yes. Your intake is completed online, the DUTCH Adrenal is a home collection kit, and your results review can be by telehealth in Texas, New York, Virginia, and Washington DC, or in person in Carrollton. Results typically return in about 2 to 3 weeks after the lab receives your sample. Once they are in, you meet with Chelsea for your live results review. Functional testing is generally direct-pay. HSA and FSA cards are accepted, and Cherry payment plans are available to eligible patients. āŒŠChelsea Asante, FNP-C, functional and integrative wellness provider at Orchid WellnessāŒ‰ Ready to Understand Your Stress Response ## Your body has been keepingāŽ track of every stressor._Letā€™s see what it says._ Your $250 functional consultation is your starting point. Chelsea will determine whether the DUTCH Adrenal is right for you, and the test is billed separately. Results reviews are in person in Carrollton, Texas or by telehealth across Texas, New York, Virginia, and Washington DC. Book your first available appointment at [app.myorchidwellness.com](https://app.myorchidwellness.com), or call or text [(469) 892-0194](https://myorchidwellness.com/dutch-adrenal-test/4698920194). Have your **legal first and last name, email, and phone number** ready. 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Payment plans are offered through Cherry and are subject to approval. Rates range from 0% to 35.99% APR based on eligibility. Cherry is not the lender.