The DUTCH Test

Oct 6

By Hayley Dawson

Do you want to know what is going on with your hormones?

Statistics are showing around 80 percent of women suffer from hormonal imbalances. While women were once told it was ‘normal’ to experience these symptoms, increased understanding through studies and data have revealed that’s not the case!

The good news is the stigma around all of this is receding. Women feel more comfortable asking questions about their health, and seeking answers when things feel out of whack.

When clients come to me with a suspected hormonal imbalance, I’ve found one of the most effective options for understanding what’s going on is the DUTCH Test.

But what is the DUTCH test?

DUTCH stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones. DUTCH test is an advanced testing method for your adrenal and sex hormones.

The DUTCH test analyses the following hormones:

Cortisol
Cortisone
Estradiol
Estrone
Estriol
Progesterone
Testosterone
DHEA and DHEA-S
Melatonin

It also measures your cortisol and cortisone rhythms and levels, and your oestrogen metabolism pathways.

The DUTCH Test is becoming increasingly popular with clients, as it provides a comprehensive look into a person’s specific hormonal health.

Precision Analytics process the DUTCH Test and have stated that “millions of women suffer from hormonal imbalances”.

“Whether it is menopause, weight gain, fatigue, low libido, premenstrual symptoms (PMS), mood swings, or depression, these symptoms can lead to more serious problems if misdiagnosed. Identifying the root cause of chronic health issues is certainly correctable, but only if properly identified.” (Precision Analytics)

DUCTH testing can help find the root cause of many issues:

Adrenal fatigue
Sluggishness in the morning
Brain fog
Depression, anxiety, irritability
PMS
Migraines and headaches
Infertility
Thyroid issues
Loss of libido
PCOS & Endometriosis
Detoxification issues
Nutrient deficiencies

Why should I do the DUTCH Test?

While hormone blood tests are a useful tool, they are not the same as the DUTCH Test.

Blood and saliva tests don’t measure cortisol rhythms and oestrogen metabolism, and do not track hormone replacement as thoroughly. This is due to it not being sensitive enough to see the different levels of oestrogen, which can be an issue for women when it comes to trying to figure out their oestrogen state. This can impact their overall health, so having a clear and precise answer is incredibly important.

What makes the DUTCH Test better than blood or saliva tests, is the comprehensive information that is collected with a single test.

The DUTCH test is well-recognised for its ease-of-collection, coupled with comprehensive reporting that is not currently available from other tests.

FAQ for the DUTCH Test:

When should I take the test?

Typical 28-day cycle:

Ideally, the DUTCH complete or sex hormone test is done on days 19, 20, 21, or 22 (or 5-7 days after ovulation is the goal) if the first day of bleeding is considered day 1.

Short Cycle:

Adjust the collection by the number of days a woman is short of 28 days.

For example, if she has 25-day cycles, collect on days 16, 17, 18, or 19.

Long cycle:

Adjust the collection by the number of days a woman is beyond the 28 days.

For example, if she has a 40-day cycle, she would collect on days 31, 32, 33, or 34.

Is this test ok if I am on the pill?

The birth control pill (ring and implants) stops the FSH and LH surge from the pituitary to prevent an oestrogen rise and ovulation (thus progesterone production) from the ovary. If you do a hormone test when on the pill, oestrogen and progesterone should be quite low. That means the pill is doing its job and a woman is not likely to become pregnant.

So the short answer is … you can test the DUTCH Adrenal while on the birth control pill, however, testing the sex hormones has diminished value.

Would this test benefit me if I am going through menopause?

Yes, the Dutch Plus Test is suitable for those going through menopause! (Menopause is signalled by 12 months since last menstruation.)

The test report gives menopausal ranges for the sex hormones which can be compared with your results. The test indicates your oestrogen to progesterone ratio (among other things!); how you are clearing oestrogen from the body; and your adrenal hormones throughout the day. As you are not ovulating or bleeding every month, you can collect your DUTCH Plus test on any day of the month.

Want to know more?

If you’re new around here, book a Discovery Call with me here.

If you are an existing client interested in taking the test, let’s have a chat about it and get it done!