How to Get the DUTCH Test Done at Home

And one of the most attractive advantages of the DUTCH test is the fact that there is no need to visit any clinic, spend time in a waiting room, or put up with the sight of needles. The whole process of collecting samples takes place at home, and according to your personal schedule. But “at-home test” should not be interpreted as “a test that does not require preparation.”

This article will provide all necessary instructions for the test process from beginning to end.

What Is the DUTCH Test?

The DUTCH test, or Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones, evaluates more than 35 hormones and their metabolites by using dried urine samples. The test looks at several types of hormones, including sex hormones, adrenal hormones, cortisol profile, melatonin, and organic acid markers. Thus, the test provides a much more comprehensive evaluation of your hormone levels compared to traditional tests performed on your blood samples.
Another great benefit of the DUTCH test is related to the possibility of collecting samples at home. Unlike blood tests that only provide information about your hormone levels at the moment of sampling, the DUTCH test helps measure your hormones throughout the whole day.

Step 1: Get the Test Ordered

The first step is getting the kit ordered. There are a few ways to do this:

Through a healthcare provider

Best recommended path. Your functional medicine physician, naturopathic doctor, or DUTCH-certified practitioner will evaluate your symptoms, prescribe the correct type of test, and place the order on your behalf. It will also provide you with professional assistance when your results are available.

Through a telehealth platform

There are numerous online healthcare portals where you can contact a qualified medical specialist online, fill out a questionnaire about your health, and receive the test kit delivered right to your doorstep.

Direct order (where available):

In certain areas, you may be able to order the DUTCH test yourself. However, even if you opt for such an option, ordering the test together with a consultation would be highly advisable since the result requires interpretation by a professional.

Confused about the type of test? There are plenty of resources on https://dutchtesting.org/, which will help you identify differences between the types of tests, such as the DUTCH Complete test or DUTCH Plus test.

Step 2: Receive Your Test Kit

Once you place your order, the kit will be shipped directly to your residence. Depending on where you live, this can take a few days of business time. In this kit, you will see:

• Absorbent filter paper collection strips – These are the ones that you will urinate on to obtain your specimen.
• Clean Collection cup – This helps to collect urine that you will use when applying the absorbent strip. This step is optional.
• Labeled collection devices – This means that each collection strip should be labeled with the correct time and date of sample collection.
• Test requisition form – This should be completed by you and included in the package along with your sample strips.
• Re-sealable plastic bag – This is where your dry strip specimens will be packed into and shipped back.
• Pre-paid shipping supplies – This includes FedEx mailing supplies or others.

Make sure to read everything contained in this kit before proceeding.

Step 3: Know When to Collect (Timing Matters)

This is one of the most important parts of the process – and the step most people underestimate.

For cycling women (regular menstrual cycle): Timing your sample collection in the correct phase of your menstrual cycle is crucial for obtaining accurate sex hormone levels. For the normal cycle of 28 days, sampling is advisable on days 19-21 (day one being the start of menstruation). If your menstrual cycle differs from the 28-day average, collection should be carried out 6-9 days before the commencement of your next period.

For women with irregular cycles: Your provider will advise you based on your individual situation. The DUTCH Cycle Mapping test may be more appropriate if your cycle varies significantly month to month.

For men and postmenopausal women: Samples can be collected on any day. There’s no cycle-based timing requirement.

General rule: Stick to your most typical daily schedule on the collection day. Avoid unusual stress, heavy exercise, or major dietary changes the day before and during collection, as these can influence cortisol and hormone output.

Step 4: Prepare – What to Avoid Before Testing

Certain foods, supplements, and medications can interfere with your results. Here’s what to keep in mind before you begin collecting:

Supplements to pause (48 hours before collection):

• Biotin (Vitamin B7)
• Oral DHEA
• Tyrosine, L-DOPA, D, L-Phenylalanine (DLPA), Mucuna, and Quercetin – these can affect organic acid markers

Supplements and hormones to pause (72 hours before collection):

• Oral estrogen (excluding birth control pills – do not stop those unless your provider advises it)
• Pregnenolone

Foods to avoid (48 hours before collection):

• Avocado, banana, and fava beans – these can affect certain neurotransmitter metabolite markers

If you’re on hormone therapy: Do not stop your hormones without speaking to your provider first. In most cases, you’ll be advised to collect midway between doses (for patches, pellets, or injections). For sublingual hormones or oral hydrocortisone, specific video instructions are available from the lab. Always follow your provider’s guidance.

Birth control: Do not skip doses. Continue as normal and inform your provider so results can be interpreted accordingly.

Step 5: Collect Your Urine Samples

This is the core of the process. The DUTCH Complete test involves collecting four to five dried urine samples across roughly 24 hours. The standard schedule is:

How to collect each sample:

• Urinate in a clean, dry cup (or urinate directly on the strip if desired)
• Immerse the absorbent paper strip in the cup, allowing it to become fully saturated; do not just wet the strip
• Take the strip out and place it down flat on a clean, dry surface
• Allow it to air dry for at least 24 hours before sealing or packaging
• Make sure to label each sample with the collection time when using the collection device

Important collection tips:

• Do not refrigerate or freeze the strips
• Do not allow the strips to come in contact with one another when drying – they require air circulation around them
• Ensure that each strip dries completely before being sealed up – wet samples may deteriorate during transit
• Avoid drinking too many liquids during the day of collection – too much dilution of urine can impact accuracy
• Collect as close to the given time periods as possible, but if you miss out a little, then collect immediately after that and record the exact time

Step 6: Fill Out the Requisition Form

This is one aspect that most people tend to ignore, but which is mandatory. Your samples cannot be processed without filling out the requisition form.
The requisition form usually seeks information about your name, date of birth, contact information, date and time when the sample was collected, medication if on any, supplements, and menstrual cycle if relevant. Filling the requisition form fully will save time and unnecessary recollection.

Step 7: Package and Ship Your Samples

Once all sample strips are dried and labeled, and your requisition form is filled out:

• Put all dried strips inside the resealable plastic bag included with your kit
• Place the plastic bag, along with your requisition form, inside your test kit box
• Place the box inside your prepaid shipping envelope
• Remember to jot down your tracking number to keep track of its progress
• Turn in the package at your specified shipping point (usually a FedEx Drop Box or center)

It is best to ship your samples shortly after collection is complete, preferably on the same day or the next day. Do not delay in shipping samples collected at home for several days.

If you were out of town when you took your samples, dried urine samples should be fine at room temperature; check with your doctor or the lab if you are in a warmer environment.

Step 8: Wait for Your Results

Your samples will get sent to the laboratory after they are collected, where they should take about 7 to 15 days for your tests to be completed. You will be notified once the results are available, and they will either be sent to you or your health care professional, depending on how the test was ordered.
The DUTCH testing report is quite extensive, including levels of hormones, ratios of metabolites, cortisol profile, and, according to which test was performed, organic acids and melatonin levels.

Step 9: Review Results With a Practitioner

Schedule your follow-up consult right away upon getting your test results. Your DUTCH-certified practitioner will help you interpret what your test results mean in your specific case, from recognizing patterns to highlighting any problem areas and offering suggestions for future courses of action, be it nutrition adjustments, supplements, more tests, or hormone treatment.

This is where the true power of the DUTCH test lies.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Under-saturation of the strip – a strip that is not completely saturated will result in inaccurate measurements. It needs to be completely wet.
• Drying of the sample for an insufficient time – this is one of the most frequent collection mistakes. Drying requires at least 24 hours.
• Interfering supplements have not stopped before the test – the use of even common supplements such as biotin may affect results if consumed close to collection.
• Collection at an incorrect time period – this is the major mistake related to premenopausal women. Make sure you collect during the appropriate day of the cycle.
• Failure to complete the requisition form – samples cannot be processed without it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I really do the entire DUTCH test at home?

Yes, the sampling process will occur at home using the filter paper strips and a clean cup. You collect, dry, and ship the samples by yourself, with all necessary supplies provided inside the kit.

How many samples do I need to collect?

Four or five dried urine samples will be needed for the DUTCH Complete test, and those samples should be collected from you at certain time points during 24 hours – mostly late afternoon, before going to sleep, early morning, and two hours after waking up.

What if I miss one of the collection times?

Sample collection must be done immediately when it is feasible to do so, recording the exact time on the sample label. Pay special attention to the morning cortisol samples; the closer to the scheduled time, the better.

Can I collect samples while traveling?

Room temperature is safe for dried urine strips, so transport by a short distance may be acceptable when collecting. Nevertheless, do not collect samples on long trips or under conditions of high temperature without consulting your healthcare provider.

Benjamin Brown - Senior Medical Content Writer

Benjamin Brown is a medical content writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience creating evidence-based health content. He specializes in translating complex medical topics into clear, engaging, and trustworthy information for readers.