Dutch Hormone Test Explained

The Dutch Complete and Dutch Cycle Mapping tests are a comprehensive hormone panel that we use to assess hormone imbalance in our clients in all stages of reproduction from pre-menopause to postmenopause. It is useful for women who have symptoms of: 

  • PMS

  • Low libido

  • Low energy

  • Brain fog

  • Weight gain

  • Lack of motivation

  • Insomnia

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Hair loss

  • Hot flashes

The Dutch Complete is where a woman takes 5 samples of urine in less than a 24 hour period. The kit provides 5 filter cards to saturate with each urine sample. Once the cards are dry they mail off the kit for processing to the lab. In about 2-3 weeks, I receive the comprehensive report and review with my patients. The Cycle Mapping is a urine sample done daily over a month.

What does the DUTCH measure?

This comprehensive test allows us to assess:

  • Oestrogen

  • Progesterone

  • DHEA-S

  • Testosterone

  • Androstenedione Metabolites

  • DHT

  • Cortisol Metabolites

  • Organic Acids

  • Oestrogen Metabolism (phase 1 and 2)

Two important things to note about this test: 

  1. It allows for proper assessment of progesterone levels by testing progesterone metabolites: b-pregnanediol and a-pregnanediol. Progesterone is not adequately measured in the blood, a method most conventional doctors use. It is helpful to know the the active metabolites of progesterone, one of which crosses into the brain and attaches to GABA receptors helping you sleep and have less anxiety.

  2. There are 2 metabolites of Androstenedione: etiocholanolone (5b) and Androsterone (5a). If the results of the test show that my patient favours the 5a metabolite then I can expect that she is experiencing “androgenic” symptoms such as coarse hair growth on her face, male pattern hair loss, acne, etc. This is very helpful when considering a PCOS diagnosis.

What is Oestrogen Metabolism?

The Dutch hormone test also shows phase 1 and phase 2 of oestrogen metabolism. This is important because in phase 1 some clients metabolise oestrogen down the protective pathway (2-OH)  and others favour pathways that may cause symptoms such as PMS, bloating, ACNE, weight gain, fatigue, heavy periods, mood swings, fibroids, DNA damage and their risk for breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer. This is especially important if my client is treated with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy or considering treatment. 

Oestrogen is then cleared through a process called methylation in phase 2. If results indicate slow or sluggish methylation you may experience symptoms of breast tenderness, weight gain, irritability, or PMS.

Why is adrenal testing important?

One of the most helpful parts of this test is the Adrenal function test that allows us to assess how her adrenal output of cortisol is playing a role in her symptoms. As we deal with stress through life or as our sex hormones decrease with age our adrenal glands work to fulfill the needs. If not properly supported they can become insufficient in their cortisol output increasing abdominal weight gain, causing blood sugar issues, and fatigue. Sometimes we can even produce more cortisone (inactive form) than cortisol (active form) due to stress.

The DUTCH tests for Organic Acids that assess metabolites for:

  • Vitamin B12

  • Vitamin B6

  • Dopamine

  • Glutathione

  • Melatonin

  • Epinephrine and Norepinephrine

  • Oxidative Stress

These are all helpful in adding to the symptom picture of our clients and can give us further information on how we can support them as their practitioner.

This comprehensive hormone panel allows us to be targeted with treatments because it shows us adequate and reliable results that we can use to help reduce our clients’ symptoms and balance their hormones properly and effectively.

Please see our testing page here for information and to buy.

Products, Health, Oestrogen, Insulin, Thyroid, HormonePippa Campbell