FAQ: All About the DUTCH Test

The DUTCH Test analyzes sex and adrenal hormones and their metabolites from dried urine samples. The test provides a complete profile of your hormone levels, and metabolism. This helps clinical practitioners to solve complex clinical questions related to hormone metabolism.

You can get the DUTCH test by direct orders, through a provider or clinical consultation. Various online platforms provide a service to order DUTCH tests directly via their website. The test panel will be directly shipped to your home from the DUTCH Test shop. You can visit a DUTCH Test provider in your area or some clinics offer the test along with a consultation to review your results.

The test is suitable if you have hormone related symptoms or need to optimize your hormone health. You may address symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, mood swings, acne, heavy menses, fibroids and cyclical breast tenderness etc. The DUTCH test can help you to understand your elevated testosterone levels if you are struggling with acne or hair loss while it evaluates your estrogen and progesterone balance at luteal phase if you are suffering with heavy menses, fibroids and cyclic breast tenderness.

Testing between days 19 to 22 provides the most comprehensive information from the DUTCH profile if you have a 28 day cycle as this timing captures the luteal phase peak. The test should be adjusted to align with your luteal peak if cycles are shorter or longer than 28 days. For example, you may collect samples around days 16 to 19 if you have a 25 day cycle, while those with 35 day cycles may test around days 26 to 28. An ovulation predictor kit (OPK) can help determine optimal timing for peri-menopausal women or those with irregular or skipped cycles. The DUTCH test should be collected 5 to 7 days later after a positive result indicates ovulation is approaching. The DUTCH Cycle Mapping Test allows daily hormone sample collection throughout the cycle, enabling the lab to graph fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone across the month for a more detailed hormonal overview.

For Urine Collection:

You should fully saturate the filter paper marked with two black lines either by urinating directly onto it or by urinating into a clean cup and dipping the filter paper into the urine for about 5 seconds. Leave the sample to air dry for at least 24 hours. Close each collection device and place all samples into the provided resealable plastic bag after the sample is air dried.

For Saliva Collection:

You can collect your saliva sample by following these steps. Remove the blue cap of the collection tube and place the cotton swab in your mouth. Keep it there until it is fully saturated. Do not keep the cotton swap in your mouth longer than 5 minutes. Gently chewing on the swab can help increase saliva flow. Return the swab to the same tube without removing the inner tube after collection. There is no need to spit into the tube. Handle the swab as little as possible with your hands. Store all saliva samples in the freezer until you are ready to ship them.

The main difference between these two DUTCH tests is the type of sample used. DUTCH Complete uses dried urine samples for the assessment of your hormone related symptoms. DUTCH Plus includes both dried urine and saliva samples. It measures the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) via saliva samples.

DUTCH Cycle Mapping measures estrogen and progesterone levels across your entire menstrual cycle using dried urine as the type of sample. The purpose of this test is to identify issues related to irregular menstrual cycles, infertility and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). The test determines the timing of ovulation, follicular and luteal phases that help practitioners to identify issues related to irregular cycles, infertility and PCOS.

This takes 5 to 10 business days to receive your results after the lab receives your samples. The turnaround time depends on several factors including shipping and lab workload. Therefore, the entire turnaround time is usually 1 to 2 weeks.

The DUTCH test kit test generally costs between $350 and $700 depending on the panel such as Complete, Plus or Cycle Mapping. Many providers require consultation fees for initial consultation to sending results which can add $200 to $500 or more to the total cost.

The Dutch providers do not bill insurance directly. They are considered as an out of network provider. You may submit your receipt to your insurance company to request possible reimbursement if your test is ordered by a healthcare provider and is considered an out of network provider.

The DUTCH Test is an advanced testing method that has redefined hormone metabolite analysis. This test offers more comprehensive insights than traditional saliva or blood testing. Conventional hormone tests provide only a limited snapshot of hormonal status. But, the DUTCH Test delivers a detailed assessment of both hormone levels and how they are metabolized in the body. The DUTCH test equips practitioners with a more complete picture to help address complex clinical concerns with convenient at-home sample collection.

The DUTCH Test is an advanced testing method that has redefined hormone metabolite analysis. This test offers more comprehensive insights than traditional saliva or blood testing. Conventional hormone tests provide only a limited snapshot of hormonal status. But, the DUTCH Test delivers a detailed assessment of both hormone levels and how they are metabolized in the body. The DUTCH test equips practitioners with a more complete picture to help address complex clinical concerns with convenient at-home sample collection.

Yes. You can take the DUTCH Test while on hormone therapy. But, you must be aware of the type of hormone and the route of administration of the hormone such as oral or topical administration. You should consult with your provider and choose the most suitable DUTCH Test type for you if you are interested in monitoring and evaluation of the hormone level while you are on hormone therapy.

Several restrictions apply before and during the DUTCH Test. Avoid consuming avocado, bananas, and fava beans for 48 hours prior to sample collection. Please note it on your requisition form if you ate any of these foods. Consult your healthcare provider before testing if you are taking supplements such as tyrosine, L-Dopa, D,L-phenylalanine (DLPA), mucuna, or quercetin.

No. The DUTCH Test is not a FDA-approved test. FDA clearance applies mainly to commercially manufactured test kits such as immunoassays that are produced by one company and sold to multiple laboratories. LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry) tests are laboratory developed tests (LDTs) that must be created and validated in-house by each lab. LC-MS/MS methods are not FDA-approved but are validated by the performing laboratory and overseen by CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments). Many major labs prefer LC-MS/MS due to its higher accuracy and advanced capabilities. The DUTCH tests use mass spectrometry and it is classified as a LDT and is regulated under CLIA rather than the FDA which is standard for hormone metabolite urine testing.

A healthcare provider should interpret your DUTCH Test results and develop a personalized treatment plan.

The timing and frequency of repeating the DUTCH Test depend on your cycle and health goals. The best collection days are 19 to 21 (about 5–7 days after ovulation) if you have a typical 28-day cycle. Short or long cycles require adjusting collection to match the luteal peak. Irregular cycles or skipped periods may involve using an ovulation predictor kit (OPK) to time collection or testing on any day if ovulation does not occur . Peri-menopausal, menopausal women, and men, can collect the samples on any day. Repeat testing is generally guided by your healthcare provider to monitor hormone changes, track treatment progress, or assess hormonal shifts due to age, medications, or health interventions. You can use DUTCH Cycle Mapping for more detailed monitoring. Collecting daily strips throughout the cycle can be used to graph hormone fluctuations over time.

Yes. The DUTCH Test helps with weight management by identifying your hormone related symptoms that contribute to weight loss resistance. The evaluation of sex hormones, cortisol and metabolites help create personalized diet, lifestyle, and supplement plans for individuals dealing with weight gain, PCOS or menopause.

Hormone levels during pregnancy and breastfeeding differ greatly from typical adult ranges. Therefore, the DUTCH Test is not intended to provide accurate hormone assessments if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

You should consult with a qualified healthcare provider if your DUTCH Test results are abnormal. You can consult with a functional medical practitioner, naturopathic doctor, or gynecologist to interpret the findings of your test results as they can provide personalized guidance on diet, supplements and lifestyle.

The DUTCH Test evaluate the levels of sex and adrenal hormones including cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone while OAT (Organic Acids Test) measures metabolic by products to assess nutritional deficiencies, gut dysbiosis, neurotransmitter levels and detoxification of an individual.

Yes. The DUTCH Test can provide advantages over traditional saliva testing for assessing cortisol. The DUTCH Test measures cortisol and cortisone at multiple points throughout the day using dried urine samples, giving a more complete picture of daily cortisol patterns. It also assesses how cortisol is metabolized in the body, which saliva tests do not capture. This broader view helps practitioners better understand adrenal function, stress response, and hormone balance.