The DUTCH Test

What is the DUTCH test?

 

DUTCH stands for 'Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones'. It measures levels of sex and stress hormones including oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone and cortisol, providing a complete overview of a woman's hormonal health. There are a few different variations of the DUTCH test, however I use the DUTCH Complete in my clinic as I find this the most useful test for women in midlife.

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What can the DUTCH Complete test tell me?

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The DUTCH Complete test can show you what your hormones are doing. During midlife, a woman's hormones shift, fluctuate and decline, contributing to hormonal imbalances and symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Understanding your hormones and how they're contributing to your symptoms takes away the guesswork and allows a more targeted approach to improving your health.

 

The DUTCH Complete measures levels of sex and adrenal hormones including oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and cortisol, and looks at how they are used in the body and how effectively they are removed once your body has finished with them. You don't want your old hormones hanging around as this can contribute to hormonal imbalances and symptoms associated with excess oestrogen in relation to progesterone, such as heavy or painful periods, breast tenderness, worsening PMS, fatigue, bloating and weight gain. Longer term, an imbalance of oestrogen and progesterone may also be associated with an increased risk of certain hormone-sensitive conditions and cancers, including breast and endometrial cancer. 

 

The DUTCH test also looks at your organic acid levels. Organic acids are natural compounds produced by your body during everyday processes like energy production, supporting brain function, detoxification, balancing hormones and maintaining gut health. Measuring these organic acids in urine can give a detailed picture of how well these systems are functioning, which can help identify potential nutrient deficiencies, imbalances of brain chemicals such as serotonin and adrenaline (providing insights into symptoms such as low mood and fatigue), oxidative stress (cell damage), gut health and melatonin levels (the hormone needed for good quality sleep). 

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You can view a sample DUTCH Complete report here.

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Who is the DUTCH Complete test appropriate for?

 

The DUTCH Complete test is suitable for women in perimenopause and menopause, who want to assess their hormone levels and understand how their body is using them. It's helpful for women taking HRT to monitor their hormone levels and see how the effectively the body is processing and excreting the hormones after use, to assess if they’re at risk of accumulating oestrogen. Please note that except for the coil (e.g. Mirena or Jaydess), the DUTCH Complete test is not appropriate for women using hormonal contraception (please contact me to discuss if unsure).

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How is the test taken?

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The DUTCH Complete is a simple test that can be done at home, collecting 4 to 5 dried urine samples (a small amount of urine on filter paper) over the course of one day, from waking to bedtime.

 

How much is it and what’s included?

 

£320, which includes the DUTCH test kit, laboratory analysis and results report and a 60-minute Zoom session with me to interpret the results and provide personalised diet, lifestyle and supplement recommendations. 

 

What if I have questions before going ahead?

 

Please contact me at hello@lisafossey.com or by submitting the form below. Alternatively, please book in a time to speak with me here.

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How do I proceed?

 

Complete the form below to submit your details. You'll be emailed a short questionnaire to complete and an invoice for payment. Once payment has been received, your test will be sent out to you to complete and return to the laboratory, following the instructions sent with the test kit. As soon as the lab confirms your expected results date, I’ll be in touch to arrange your online consultation so we can review your results together.