THE DUTCH Plus Test & Interpretation

A woman’s body undergoes several changes throughout her life. The hormonal roller coaster almost never seems to end, and just when you think it’s almost over, you’ve reached menopause—a phase most women are scared of! 

While menopause seems like a vast time frame, breaking it down into stages can help better manage symptoms and restore overall health and well-being! To understand what your body is going through during menopause, your doctor needs a deeper insight into your hormone levels and metabolism. That’s where we need the DUTCH Plus Test!

What is the DUTCH Plus Test?

DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) Plus Test offers a comprehensive analysis and assessment of hormone levels and their metabolites. While most hormonal tests use blood samples, the DUTCH test utilises dried urine samples collected over a 24-hour period to give you a deeper, more accurate snapshot of your hormone production and metabolism throughout the day.

This innovative test gives your doctor a holistic view of your hormones- not just sex hormones but also their metabolites and organic acids. Having sleep troubles? The DUTCH Plus Test analyses your cortisol and melatonin levels throughout the day to assess your sleep cycle and help restore it.

The test requires a urine sample and a saliva sample. The turnaround time for a DUTCH Plus test is 16 days, after which your test results are sent to you or your doctor. 

Our expert doctors will interpret your results and recommend managing your symptoms and restoring your health.

Who Needs a DUTCH Test?

A DUTCH Plus test is recommended for individuals:

• With any symptoms of pre/ perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause- hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, weight gains, forgetfulness, etc.
• With health conditions related to hormonal imbalance like PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, irregular menstrual cycle, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), enlarged prostate, or hormone-sensitive cancer
• Those who have high levels of stress
• Those who find it difficult to sleep through the night or wake up in the morning
• With fatigue, low mood, or weird symptoms like a lack of motivation

How Does the DUTCH Plus Test Help You?

When the body experiences physical or psychological stress, hormones like cortisol and others released from the pituitary, adrenal, and hypothalamus are elevated. Similarly, women undergoing menopause also experience several hormonal changes, which have a direct impact on their mental, physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. 

The DUTCH Plus test has been designed to detect the levels of these hormones, giving Medi-Gyn experts a deeper insight into your health and stress-causing conditions. It also helps women understand and manage their menopausal phase better, preparing them for that vital well-ageing. 

What Does the Test Kit Include?

The DUTCH Plus Test kit includes the following:

• 4 Urine collection strips
• 6 Salivette™ Saliva Collection Tubes
• Reusable plastic bag
• Sealable return envelopes
• Easy-to-follow directions and requisition form

What Does the DUTCH Plus Test Analyse?

The DUTCH Plus Test takes hormonal testing to the next level. In addition to stress and sex hormones, this test evaluates the diurnal pattern of free cortisol and the total cortisol metabolites and their distribution. It also focuses on the cortisol awakening response (CAR).

Here’s what the results of the DUTCH Plus Test provide:

• Analysis of 35+ hormones: 
  • Levels of sex hormones indicate reproductive health
  • Healthy estrogen metabolism is important for bone health, reproductive function and prevention of cancer
  • Insights into androgen metabolism that are contributing factors for the development of male pattern baldness, prostate enlargement and acne
  • Levels of stress hormones that indicate changes in the sleep cycle and stress levels
  • Melatonin levels which induce sleep
• Levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline, as these determine mood and motivation.
• Level of vitamin B12 and B6 markers, two vitamins that are important for the production and metabolism of hormones and neurotransmitters
• The levels of markers for glutathione and DNA damage (which indicate oxidative stress in the body) and the antioxidants it produces to cope with this stress.
• Cortisol Awakening Response, a mini stress test, shows how your body is prepared to start each day.

What Next?

With a detailed DUTCH Plus Test report, specialists at Medi-Gyn customize treatment to help restore and balance hormonal levels and prepare themselves for healthy well-being, ensuring that your health span equals your lifespan. If you are experiencing symptoms that you think are perhaps menopause or hormonal imbalance, speak to our Medi-Gyn experts today!