Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) are immune proteins found in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is a chronic condition characterized by swollen and damaged tissues in the intestinal tract. The ASCA test detects these antibodies in the blood. ASCA can help distinguish between Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), the two most common types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

IgA and IgG antibody testing for S. cerevisiae is useful adjunct testing for differentiating Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Close to 80% of Crohn's disease patients are positive for either IgA or IgG. In ulcerative colitis, less than 15% are positive for IgG and less than 2% are positive for IgA. Fewer than 5% are positive for either IgG or IgA antibody, and no healthy controls had antibody for both.

Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) are immune proteins found in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is a chronic condition characterized by swollen and damaged tissues in the intestinal tract. The ASCA test detects these antibodies in the blood. ASCA can help distinguish between Crohn disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), the two most common types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is the primary agent used in our body’s flight or fight response to threatening stimuli.

The test also offers an optional Insomnia Cortisol measurement, which is particularly relevant for individuals experiencing sleep disturbances. This additional salivary sample, known as the "Insomnia Sample," is collected in the middle of the night when the patient is struggling to sleep. It's designed to determine cortisol’s potential role in sleep disturbances.

Elevated cortisol levels during this period can suggest that cortisol imbalances may be contributing to insomnia. This measurement provides valuable additional information about cortisol’s potential causal role in sleep disturbances.

This measurement offers valuable additional information about cortisol’s potential causal role in sleep disturbances.

When people suffer from insomnia, the 5 salivary cortisol measurements on the DUTCH Plus may not be enough to assess cortisol’s potential role in the sleep disturbances. This additional marker can give you insight into cortisol levels during the night.

Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is the primary agent used in our body’s flight or fight response to threatening stimuli.

This is the 2nd cortisol sample of the day. Usually measured 30 to 60 minutes after waking. 

Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys. It is normally released in response to events and circumstances such as waking up in the morning, exercising, and acute stress.

In the Dutch test there are 4 individual free cortisol readings that were measured at different times throughout one day:

- Cortisol A (Waking)

- Cortisol B (Morning)

- Cortisol C (Afternoon)

- Cortisol D (Night)

When you are looking at Cortisol B (Morning) it is essential to also look at Cortisol A (Waking). The difference between those 2 cortisol samples is called the cortisol awakening response (or CAR). 

An elevated CAR would mean that the difference between those 2 markers is really big.

Different possible reasons for an elevated CAR:

- an overactive HPA axis (=plays an important role in the stress response), ongoing job-related stress (anticipatory stress for the day)

- blood sugar dysregulation

- pain (i.e. waking with painful joints or a migraine), 

- and general depression (not Seasonal affective disorder/”winter depression”)

Neither the waking nor post-waking cortisol results correlated to Major Depressive Disorder, but the CAR calculation (the change between the first two samples) does. So this means that if your morning free cortisol reading spikes up high first thing in the morning, there is something to look at. Is there an overactivity to stress? Are you anticipating a stressful day at work? If your morning free cortisol levels are high, this can be due to stress or anticipating stress. 

Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is the primary agent used in our body’s flight or fight response to threatening stimuli.

Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is the primary agent used in our body’s flight or fight response to threatening stimuli.

Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands and is the primary agent used in our body’s flight or fight response to threatening stimuli.

The Saliva Cortisone - Extra 1 marker on the DUTCH Plus panel from Precision Analytical is a specific test that measures the level of cortisone in saliva. Cortisone is a hormone produced by the body as a metabolite of cortisol, which is often referred to as the "stress hormone." Cortisol plays a crucial role in helping the body respond to stress, regulate metabolism, reduce inflammation, and assist with memory formulation. It is produced by the adrenal glands, which are small glands located above each kidney. In the body, cortisol is converted into cortisone by an enzyme called 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. By measuring cortisone levels in the saliva, the test provides insights into the functioning of this enzyme and the adrenal glands' activity.

The marker "Saliva Cortisone - Insomnia" provides a unique and insightful perspective into the complex relationship between cortisol metabolism and sleep disorders, such as insomnia. Cortisone, measured through saliva in this context, is a less active metabolite of cortisol, the primary stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisol is crucial for various bodily functions, including the regulation of sleep-wake cycles, blood sugar levels, inflammation, and the body’s response to stress. In individuals with insomnia, cortisol levels can be dysregulated, leading to an imbalance that affects sleep quality and duration.