DUTCH Hormone Testing, an acronym for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones, is an advanced clinical diagnostic tool used to measure a wide array of sex and adrenal hormones and their key metabolites. This test provides a detailed, time-integrated assessment of hormone production and clearance pathways, offering a more complete picture of endocrine function than simple serum measurements. Clinicians utilize this data to identify subtle imbalances in cortisol rhythm, estrogen metabolism, and androgen status, enabling highly personalized therapeutic interventions for hormonal health.
Origin
The test was developed as an evolution of traditional 24-hour urine hormone analysis, utilizing the stability and ease of collection offered by dried urine samples. It represents a significant technological and clinical advancement in functional endocrinology. The methodology’s power lies in its ability to quantify not only the parent hormones but also their downstream metabolites, providing insight into phase I and phase II detoxification pathways.
Mechanism
The mechanism involves collecting four to five dried urine samples over a 24-hour period, which captures the diurnal rhythm of cortisol and the cumulative output of various steroid hormones. Steroid hormones and their metabolites are conjugated in the liver, making them water-soluble for urinary excretion, and the test uses highly sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantify these compounds. This comprehensive profile allows for the clinical assessment of HPA axis function and the risk associated with specific estrogen metabolites, guiding targeted nutritional or hormonal support.
We use cookies to personalize content and marketing, and to analyze our traffic. This helps us maintain the quality of our free resources. manage your preferences below.
Detailed Cookie Preferences
This helps support our free resources through personalized marketing efforts and promotions.
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, improving user experience and website performance.
Personalization cookies enable us to customize the content and features of our site based on your interactions, offering a more tailored experience.