Why We Run HTMA Before DUTCH Testing

(And Why It Can Save You Time, Money, and Frustration on Your Healing Journey)

If you’re dealing with perimenopause, low libido, mood swings, or any kind of hormonal imbalance, it’s natural to want to get to the root of it. Many women jump straight to a hormone test called the DUTCH test — and for good reason.

The DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) provides an incredibly detailed look at estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and their metabolites (and a lot more). It helps you see what your hormones are doing and how your body is processing them.

But here’s the thing:
👉 Hormones don’t function in a vacuum.

They’re influenced by your minerals, stress response, blood sugar stability, detox capacity, and more.

That’s why in my practice, I almost always recommend running a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) first — before investing in a DUTCH test.

Below, I’ll explain the nuance behind that recommendation—and how understanding your mineral foundation first helps you get more from your hormone testing later.

Minerals Lay the Foundation for Hormone Health

Minerals are often called “the spark plugs of the body.” They regulate enzyme activity, cellular communication, and hormone production. When minerals are out of balance, hormones follow suit.

Here are some of the most important mineral-hormone relationships we look for on HTMA:

• Calcium and Potassium (Ca/K): Often called the “thyroid ratio,” this shows how well thyroid hormone is actually getting into the cells. High calcium can block T3 use — so thyroid labs can look “normal” while you still feel sluggish.

• Sodium and Magnesium (Na/Mg): Known as the “adrenal ratio,” this reflects cortisol and aldosterone activity. A low ratio can point to burnout; a high ratio often reflects chronic stress or inflammation.

• Zinc and Copper (Zn/Cu): This ratio is essential for estrogen-progesterone balance. High copper (or hidden copper toxicity) is frequently linked with estrogen dominance, anxiety, and PMS.

• Sodium and Potassium (Na/K): Sometimes called the “stress and vitality ratio.” When inverted, it often signals internalized stress, inflammation, and low resilience — all of which influence hormone output and metabolism.

What HTMA Reveals That DUTCH Can’t

DUTCH testing is phenomenal for showing the end result — how your hormones are being produced and metabolized.
HTMA, on the other hand, shows you the why behind those hormone patterns.

For example:

• DUTCH shows low progesterone → HTMA may reveal low sodium and potassium, pointing to adrenal fatigue and poor mineral reserves.

• DUTCH shows estrogen dominance → HTMA may show high calcium or high tissue copper, suggesting sluggish liver detox and impaired elimination.

• DUTCH shows cortisol dysregulation → HTMA might highlight depleted magnesium and potassium, showing how long-term stress has drained the system and made it less responsive to adaptogens or herbs.

Understanding these underlying patterns allows us to support the root cause, not just the hormonal “symptom” layer.

HTMA Helps You Build a Smarter Protocol

Running HTMA first allows you to:
✅ Strengthen the body’s mineral foundation before layering in hormone-specific support
✅ Support adrenal and thyroid health, which regulate hormone production upstream
✅ Improve detox and drainage, so the body can clear hormone metabolites effectively
✅ Avoid supplementing too soon with herbs or hormones the body isn’t ready for

The result?
When you do run a DUTCH test, it’s far more accurate, actionable, and sustainable — because your system is stable enough to give a true picture of what’s happening.

When It Makes Sense to Add DUTCH

Once mineral balance has been supported for 2–3 months, and you’ve seen progress in energy, sleep, mood, or menstrual cycles if you are still cycling—but lingering hormonal symptoms remain—that’s the ideal time to layer in a DUTCH test.

At that stage, your body has more reserves, your stress chemistry is calmer, and the DUTCH results will reflect your true baseline, not a snapshot of dysfunction or depletion.

The Bottom Line

Both HTMA and DUTCH are incredibly valuable tools—but the order matters.

Start with HTMA to assess the foundation. Build energy and resilience.
Then, if needed, use DUTCH to fine-tune your hormone strategy.

That way, you’re not just chasing the end result—you’re supporting the whole system from the ground up.

🌿 Next Step: The HTMA Quickstart

If you’re ready to finally understand what your body needs — not just guess — the HTMA Quickstart is a great place to begin.

You’ll get a full mineral analysis, a personalized review of your results, and a clear action plan to start restoring balance.