The DUTCH test, which uses dried urine, is the simplest, and informative test for anyone who suspects they might have a hormone problem. The test is done four times in a day, and the strips of dried urine are then used to give you a complete hormone panel, including metabolites.
Testing 4 times a day is important as hormones fluctuate during the day, it allows for a more complete picture of what is going on for you. Cortisol, for example, one of the hormones the test checks for, if this was low in the morning and then high at night, then you’re likely to be suffering insomnia, foggy brain in the morning and so on. If you just got a blood test, you’d only be capturing that one time which perhaps could be normal if you happened to do it at midday.
The test also captures metabolites which you don’t get in a blood test. These metabolites are extremely valuable for you to know. If you had a blood test and was told you are estrogen dominant, a common phrase, that would make you think you have too much estrogen. But it doesn’t tell you why. With the DUTCH it captures the estrogen metabolites eg 2-OH-E1. By looking at these metabolites you can determine if you have a problem with a sluggish liver and in what phase of liver clearance. Phase 1 and Phase 2 liver clearance requires different treatment approaches.
An example of the test is below. This test tells the practitioner that the patient is suffering from estrogen dominance and that their phase 1 liver detoxification needs support. This patient was treated with DIM and then retested, estrogen now has improved. But you would not want to give the patient DIM if there Phase 2 is the actual problem, you would then cause more estrogen to circulate through the body. The example illustrates why you cannot just guess. Guess wrong and you’re now suffering more.
As a health practitioner, I regularly use the DUCTH test with my clients. My advice tends to usually be, get your diet almost right first and then we can determine if you have a hormonal problem that needs to extra support.
Hormones it tests for include:
- Free Cortisone
- Creatinine
- Free cortisol
- Total cortisol
- Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels
- Estrogen metabolites
- Progesterone metabolites
- Testosterone metabolites
- Androgen metabolites
- DHEAs
- Melatonin
Plus markers including dopamine, serotonin (soon about to be phased out), norepinephrine, MMA (for B12 status), Xanthurenate (for B6 status) and Pyroglutamate (for glutathione status). These markers help with hormone metabolism/detoxification.
If you’d like more information or would like to get tested please contact me for a consultation. Bookings can be made online or contact me directly for appointments outside of what is available.
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