76: Hormone Testing for Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance

Checkout the Hormone Deep Dive Lab Bank Here: www.wellnesswithvanda.com/labbank

If you’ve ever been told “your labs look normal” but still know something feels off, this episode is for you.

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the three main types of testing I use to uncover what’s really happening with your hormones — and why traditional lab work often misses the full picture. You’ll learn:

✨ The difference between HTMA testing (what your body needs) and DUTCH testing (what your hormones are doing)
✨ Why both tests together can reveal the what and why behind your symptoms
✨ How to use traditional lab work through a functional lens to identify early imbalances
✨ Who should consider hormone testing — and who shouldn’t just yet

I also share details about my new Hormone Deep Dive Lab Bank, a simple way to order functional hormone tests without joining a full program.

If you’re struggling with fatigue, PMS, acne, irregular cycles, or feeling dismissed by “normal” lab results — this episode will help you get the clarity and answers your body’s been asking for.

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Free Resources:

Hormones 101 Training:
https://wellnesswithvanda.com/hormones101

Hormone Reboot: https://www.wellnesswithvanda.com/hormone-reboot/

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Transcript

Vanda:
Hey, hey — welcome back to the podcast!

I don’t know where you are in the world when you’re listening, but here in Kentucky, it turned cold over the weekend. I’m usually a fall girl, but lately, I’ve been falling more and more in love with summer because, honestly, I hate the cold. I’d much rather be hot than freezing!

So today, I’m bundled up in my little office, my fingers are cold, and I’ve got my shoes on because it somehow makes me feel more productive. I’m planning to head out for a walk soon though — fresh air always helps my mood and my mental health.

Why I Wanted to Record This Episode

Today’s episode is all about hormone testing.
I talk about it often across my content, but I’ve never done an episode dedicated solely to explaining the different types of hormone testing, what each one tells us, and how I use them in my practice.

Plus, I just launched something brand new — my Hormone Deep Dive Lab Bank — which ties perfectly into this topic. I’ll tell you more about that at the end.

HTMA Testing: My Favorite Functional Test

Let’s start with HTMA testing, which stands for Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis. This is one of my favorite tests because almost everyone can benefit from it.

It’s incredibly simple — you just cut a small hair sample and mail it to the lab. I promise, it’s not much hair, even if you have a short hairstyle. And what you get in return is a treasure trove of information: over 38 different data points about your mineral levels and ratios.

Those mineral ratios are powerful because they tell us how different systems in your body are functioning.
 For example:

• There’s a ratio tied to metabolism.
• One related to thyroid function.
• One that shows how your adrenals are handling stress.
• Another that reflects blood sugar balance.
• And one that can give insight into estrogen and progesterone balance.

What I love most about HTMA is that you can do it anytime.
You don’t have to time it with your cycle, and it’s safe for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or in perimenopause — which makes it an incredibly versatile test.

I’ve run this test on myself several times, on my husband, and even on one of my kids! After hundreds of client tests, I can tell you no two are ever alike. There are definitely patterns I notice — especially since I mostly work with women who are trying to conceive, postpartum, or navigating perimenopause — but everyone’s body tells a slightly different story.

That’s the beauty of HTMA testing: it gives you personalized data about your unique body so we can take targeted action.

DUTCH Testing: The Hormone Deep Dive

Next up is the DUTCH test — the Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones.

This is the gold standard when it comes to understanding your hormones. It measures your estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, along with their metabolites, so we can see not only how much hormone your body is producing but also how it’s processing those hormones.

The DUTCH test also gives us insight into:

• Cortisol and cortisone patterns throughout the day (your stress response)
• Melatonin levels
• And key nutritional markers that impact hormone balance

This test is incredibly helpful for pinpointing hormone imbalances — because while your symptoms might suggest one thing, the data sometimes reveals something totally different.
For example, you might feel like you have low estrogen, but the test could show that it’s actually high, or vice versa.

Who Needs Which Test?

Here’s how I help clients decide:

• HTMA is for anyone who wants to understand what’s happening at the root level — minerals, metabolism, stress, and energy.
• DUTCH is ideal for women who are trying to get pregnant or struggling with symptoms like PMS, fatigue, or irregular cycles and want to see exactly what their hormones are doing.

I don’t run DUTCH tests for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or in menopause because hormone fluctuations during those times make the results less actionable. My goal is always to make sure the information we get is truly useful.

When I combine HTMA and DUTCH, we get the what (your hormone levels) and the why (what’s causing the imbalance). That combination allows for faster, more effective progress.

How Traditional Labs Fit In

Now, I also want to touch on traditional lab work — things like your CBC, CMP, thyroid panel, or iron studies. These are still important, but they’re often interpreted using disease-based ranges.

That means your doctor might call and say, “Everything looks normal,” even when you feel far from it.

Here’s the issue: “normal” lab ranges are based on population averages, not optimal health.
I prefer to look at those same labs through a functional lens, comparing your results to optimal ranges instead. That’s where we often find the subtle imbalances that explain your symptoms — years before they’d ever show up as a true “problem” on a standard test.

I can help clients interpret those labs and create a plan to bring things back into balance, rather than waiting for things to get worse.

The Hormone Deep Dive Lab Bank

I recently launched something new called the Hormone Deep Dive Lab Bank — designed for women who want the data without joining a full coaching program.

Here’s how it works:

• You can order an HTMA, DUTCH, or both.
• I ship the test directly to your door with easy collection instructions.
• Once your results are in, I analyze them and create a customized care plan just for you.
• We then do a one-month follow-up to check progress and make adjustments if needed.

It’s perfect for women who already live a healthy lifestyle but want deeper insight and guidance — especially around supplements, food, and stress balance.

You can learn more at wellnesswithvanda.com/lab-bank
or through the link in the show notes.

Final Thoughts

If you’re not sure which test is right for you, you can always reach out.
 Reply to one of my emails, text me through my website, or DM me on Instagram and tell me what’s going on — I’ll point you in the right direction.

And before we wrap up, here’s your gentle reminder:
 Do something for yourself today. You deserve it. 💜

Thanks for listening, and I’ll talk to you next week!