In my practice, I often sit across from people who are doing everything right—eating well, taking supplements, trying to rest—yet they still feel exhausted, inflamed, or stuck. I know that feeling personally. And it’s one of the reasons I care so deeply about looking beyond symptoms and into the body’s biochemistry.
This is where the Organic Acids Test, included within the DUTCH Test, becomes such a powerful tool.
What Is the Organic Acids Test?
The Organic Acids Test is a simple urine test that shows how well your body is:
- Making energy at the cellular level
- Using key nutrients like B vitamins, magnesium, and antioxidants
- Detoxifying and responding to oxidative stress
- Handling gut and metabolic demands
Rather than guessing or layering more supplements, this test helps us understand what the body actually needs.
Why I Look at Organic Acids So Closely
As a practitioner—and as a woman who has lived through deep health questions of her own—I’ve learned that hormones are often downstream. When energy production, detox pathways, or antioxidant reserves are compromised, hormones struggle to find balance.
The Organic Acids portion of the DUTCH Test helps answer the “why” behind symptoms. It connects the dots between stress, metabolism, and hormone output in a way I wish more people were shown earlier in their health journey.
Mitochondria: Where Energy Really Begins
Your mitochondria are the power plants of your cells. When they’re overwhelmed—by chronic stress, inflammation, toxin exposure, infections, or nutrient depletion—energy drops fast. Organic acids give us a window into how well those mitochondria are functioning and whether oxidative stress is stealing energy behind the scenes.
This often explains symptoms like:
- Persistent fatigue or burnout
- Brain fog
- Poor stress tolerance
- Slow healing or recovery
When someone tells me, “I don’t feel like myself anymore,” this is often where the story starts to make sense.
Glutathione: The Marker I Pay Close Attention To
One of the most important organic acid markers we review is glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant. Glutathione protects cells, supports detoxification, and helps regulate inflammation. Without it, the body is constantly playing defense.
In one patient example, glutathione measured just 2, when optimal levels are 20 or higher. On the surface, this person was doing “all the right things,” yet their body simply didn’t have the reserves to keep up. Seeing this explained why healing felt so hard—and gave us a clear, compassionate direction forward.
I’ve seen this pattern not only in patients, but also in my own life. When the body is under oxidative stress, it’s not a failure of effort—it’s a signal asking for deeper support.
Why This Matters in Functional Medicine
Functional medicine isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters. Organic acids allow us to:
- Support mitochondrial energy intentionally
- Rebuild antioxidant reserves like glutathione
- Personalize nutrient and detox support
- Create plans that respect the body’s current capacity
This approach honors the body instead of forcing it.
The Takeaway
The Organic Acids portion of the DUTCH Test gives us a quiet but powerful look at what’s happening beneath the surface—how your cells are making energy, how well you’re detoxifying, and whether oxidative stress is holding you back.
This is why I believe so strongly in testing, not guessing. When we understand the body’s signals, we can stop chasing symptoms and start supporting real healing—from the inside out.
