Description

A Precise Assessment of Your Body’s Stress Response at Waking

If you wake up feeling exhausted, experience daytime fatigue, or struggle with stress-related symptoms, the DUTCH CAR Test offers targeted insight into how your body responds to stress from the moment you wake up.

The Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) is a critical component of your daily stress rhythm, controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This advanced saliva-only test helps uncover imbalances in this system—offering a clearer picture than standard cortisol testing.

How It Works

This test involves five timed saliva collections throughout the day to evaluate both cortisol and cortisone levels:

  • At waking
  • 30 minutes after waking
  • 60 minutes after waking
  • Between 4–5 PM
  • Between 10 PM–Midnight

These specific time points capture your Cortisol Awakening Response as well as your full daily cortisol rhythm.

What’s Measured

  • Cortisol – Waking, AM30, AM60, Evening, Night
  • Cortisone – Waking, AM30, AM60, Evening, Night

This dual-hormone assessment shows both the production and conversion of active (cortisol) and inactive (cortisone) stress hormones across the day.

Why This Test Matters

  • Pinpoints HPA Axis Imbalances
  • Reveals signs of chronic stress, burnout, adrenal dysregulation, and sleep-related hormone disruption.
  • Deeper Insight Than Traditional Tests
  • Unlike single-point cortisol tests, the CAR evaluates the dynamic cortisol surge in the first hour after waking—critical for energy, alertness, and mood regulation.
  • Supports Personalized Care
  • Results can help guide interventions to improve stress resilience, energy levels, emotional balance, and overall endocrine health.

Who Should Consider This Test?

  • Individuals with fatigue in the morning or throughout the day
  • Those experiencing poor sleep, mood instability, or chronic stress
  • People with suspected adrenal fatigue or HPA axis dysfunction
  • Patients seeking a targeted evaluation of their stress response

Test Details

  • Collection Method: Non-invasive saliva collection
  • Location: At-home, with kit pickup available in office
  • Fasting: Not required
  • Turnaround Time: Approximately 10 business days after lab receives samples (excluding shipping time)
  • Includes: Step-by-step instructions for accurate sample timing and preparation

Discover the Missing Piece in Your Stress Profile

The DUTCH Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) Test is a powerful tool for uncovering why you may feel unrefreshed in the morning, wired at night, or overwhelmed by daily stressors. It offers clear, actionable insight into your body’s first hormonal response each day—when balance matters most.

Order your DUTCH CAR test today and take a critical step toward restoring your energy, sleep, and stress regulation.