Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones (DUTCH) Plus

Description

The DUTCH Plus test is the most comprehensive way to measure levels of sex and stress hormones. It uses a combination of urine and saliva samples collected through the day to assess hormone levels, metabolites and organic acids to give a complete overview of hormonal health.
The test includes measurement of:

• The levels of sex the hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone – these are important for reproductive health
• The balance of oestrogen metabolism – oestrogen can be metabolised through a variety of pathways. Some of these are less beneficial than others. Healthy oestrogen metabolism is important for bone health, reproductive function and cancer prevention.
• The balance of androgen metabolism – androgens are male sex hormones and can be converted to more or less potent metabolites. The balance of these metabolites can be a factor in conditions such as acne, male pattern baldness and prostate enlargement
• The levels of the stress hormones cortisol and DHEA and their metabolites – these hormones co-ordinate our sleep-wake cycle and ability to respond to life’s challenges. They can become imbalanced during long-term stress.
• The cortisol awakening response – this acts as a mini stress test to see how well your body is prepared to start each day.
• The level melatonin – this is the neurotransmitter that is responsible for inducing sleep
• The levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin – these are important messengers involved in mood and motivation
• Markers for the level of vitamin B12 and Vitamin B6 – these vitamins are important for the production and metabolism of hormones and neurotransmitters
• Markers for glutathione and DNA damage – this can be used to determine how much oxidative stress the body is under. Essentially how well are the body’s antioxidant defences coping with their current load of free radicals

This test is recommended for people who have:

• A health condition related to a hormonal imbalance such as endometriosis, irregular menstrual cycle, premenstrual syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, fibroids, fertility problems, acne, enlarged prostate, osteoporosis or hormone-sensitive cancer.
• Experienced long-term high levels of stress
• Difficulty sleeping or waking up in the morning
• Fatigue, low mood, lack of motivation or other vague unexplained symptoms