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Stressed & Burned Out? It Could Be Affecting Your Metabolism
Eating well but the scale won't budge? Chronic stress and high cortisol may be stalling your metabolism. Learn how DUTCH hormone testing can help you reset.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Courtney Ranieri, ND, a licensed naturopathic doctor registered with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (Reg. #3726). Last reviewed July 2026.
If you've been eating well and exercising but the scale just won't budge, stress might be the missing piece.
When we're under stress, our bodies pump out cortisol (our stress hormone). A little is fine, but when it stays high for too long, it can:
- Slow down your metabolism
- Increase belly fat storage
- Trigger cravings and blood sugar swings
- Disrupt your sleep and energy
And if stress goes on long enough, burnout can set in, leaving you exhausted, unmotivated, and stuck in survival mode.
This is why we often recommend the DUTCH Hormone Test. It gives a detailed picture of your stress hormones throughout the day, along with other key hormones that impact weight, energy, and mood. With this info, we can create a plan that works with your body, not against it.
That's where DUTCH Testing comes in: the gold standard in hormone testing
DUTCH Testing, or the 'Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones', is a simple dried urine test that allows us to learn an extensive amount of information on your hormones.
Dutch Testing doesn't just measure your hormone levels, it helps to tell me how your body produces hormones, breaks them down AND uses them throughout the day, giving us your full hormonal picture.
Comprehensive hormone testing is one of the best ways to uncover the root cause of your concerns and guide treatment in the right direction.
We're able to test:
- Estrogen and 8 forms of estrogen metabolites
- Androgens including Testosterone, DHT and DHEA-S
- Progesterone
- Cortisol levels
- Melatonin
- Organic acids (markers for neurotransmitters that affect mood, depression and anxiety)
- The Cortisol Awakening Response
- Markers for Vitamin B6 and B12 and other nutritional status
The best part, DUTCH Testing is a simple at home test!
If you're feeling burned out and your weight loss efforts have stalled, it might be time to look deeper. Supporting your stress response can be the key to getting your metabolism back on track.
About the author
Dr. Courtney Ranieri, ND is a board-licensed naturopathic doctor and the founder of Somewhere Health. She earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto and holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Ontario. Her clinical focus spans hormonal health, fertility, digestion, and women's health, with advanced training in pelvic floor therapy and integrative fertility care.
