DUTCH stands for Dry Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones. It’s a test that measures a wide range of sex hormones and adrenal hormones using dried urine samples. It’s commonly used in anti-aging medicine and functional medicine circles.
What Exactly Is the DUTCH Test?
The DUTCH test is a urine-based hormone test that gives you a full picture of your adrenal and sex hormone status. It checks key hormones your body needs to function properly, including:
- Cortisol (stress hormone)
- Melatonin (sleep hormone)
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Testosterone
The results also include testosterone metabolites, like Etiocholanolone and Androsterone, which give more insight into how your body processes these hormones. It’s useful for both men and women.
Why Is It Different from Regular Hormone Tests?
Instead of just using blood, saliva, or a single urine sample, the DUTCH test collects multiple urine samples throughout the day and dries them on filter paper. This lets you see not just hormone levels, but how your body uses and breaks them down over a 24-hour period, which is called metabolite tracking, and it also reports:
- Hormone metabolites (how your body processes hormones)
- Neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, GABA, norepinephrine
That’s why this test is popular for people focused on preventive healthcare.
The DUTCH Test Highlights:
It’s All About the Metabolites
Your body doesn’t just make hormones, it has to use and break them down too. The DUTCH test shows:
- How much of each hormone is made
- What metabolic pathways are used
- Whether breakdown is healthy or potentially harmful
- How well your body clears hormones: Poor clearance can lead to hormonal imbalances and health issues.
What Does the DUTCH Test Measure?
- Sex Hormones:
- Estrogens: Estradiol (E2), Estrone (E1), Estriol (E3)
- Progesterone:Measured via its metabolites (like Pregnanediol)
- Testosterone: Plus its metabolites (Etiocholanolone, Androsterone)
- Adrenal Hormones:
- Cortisol & Cortisone: Levels and fluctuations
- Free Cortisol: Active form
- Cortisol metabolites: Like tetrahydrocortisol
- DHEA & DHEA-S
- Melatonin (6-OH-melatonin sulfate)
- Organic Acids (in DUTCH Complete/Plus):
- Glutathione, Dopamine, Epinephrine/Norepinephrine, Serotonin
- Vitamin B6, B12
- Gut health markers
- neuroinflammation indicators
- Cortisol Rhythm Graph: A standout feature is a graph showing your cortisol levels throughout the day:
- High cortisol: Chronic stress, anxiety, poor sleep
- Low cortisol: Adrenal fatigue
- Irregular patterns: Like high cortisol at night, messing with sleep
- Melatonin levels: Show circadian rhythm and sleep quality
Why the DUTCH Test Matters
Some people deal with chronic symptoms and can’t figure out why; this test helps reveal hidden hormonal imbalances. It gives health practitioners the info needed to:
- Find root causes instead of just treating symptoms
- Build personalized health plans (diet, lifestyle, supplements, HRT)
- Track progress and adjust treatment as needed
Perks of the DUTCH Test
You can collect your samples at home. The kit is mailed to you, and you follow the instructions; no blood draws or clinic visits needed.
Conclusion
The DUTCH test is a deep-dive hormone test that gives a full picture of how your body produces, uses, and clears out hormones. It’s useful for patients and doctors in building effective, customized health plans, especially for unresolved symptoms, stress issues, or hormone-related health concerns.
author : Dr.Apakorn Poltian (Medical Technologist)
Reference:
- Precision Analytical, Inc. — the official developer of the DUTCH test [dutchtest.com]
- Carrie Jones, ND – Hormone Specialist, former Medical Director of the DUTCH test
- Eisenhofer G, Peitzsch M. Urine and plasma metanephrines for detecting pheochromocytoma. Clin Chem. 2014.
- Zava DT, Zava LS. Dried urine hormone testing: Method validation for clinical use. (Technical paper from Precision Analytical)
