Discover Your Hormonal Health & Balance
The DUTCH Test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) provides an in-depth analysis of sex hormones, adrenal function, cortisol rhythms, and hormone metabolites—helping you understand your hormonal balance, energy, mood, and reproductive health.
Why Consider the DUTCH Test?
- Comprehensive Hormone Profiling: Sex hormones, adrenal function, cortisol rhythms, and metabolites.
- Personalized Insights: Understand your unique hormone metabolism and balance.
- At-Home Collection: Convenient dried urine samples collected in your own home.
- Women’s Health Focus: Evaluate menstrual cycle, perimenopause, menopause, and fertility concerns.
- Follow-Up Consultation: Review results with your healthcare provider to create a plan.
- Track Adrenal & Stress Health: Cortisol rhythms over the day for energy & recovery insights.
- Hormone Detox Pathways: Understand how your body metabolizes estrogen and other hormones.
- Holistic Approach: Supports overall energy, mood, sleep, and hormone-related symptoms.
| Feature | DUTCH Test (Urine) | Blood Test | Saliva Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measures Hormone Metabolites | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Tracks Hormone Fluctuations Throughout the Day | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (single snapshot) | ✅ Yes |
| Tests Cortisol Rhythms Over Time | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Analyzes Estrogen Detox Pathways | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Easy At-Home Collection | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (requires clinic visit) | ✅ Yes |
🧠 Understanding Adrenal Fatigue (HPA Axis Dysfunction)
If you're waking up tired, crashing in the afternoon, or feeling "wired but tired" at night, it might not just be stress—your adrenal rhythm could be off. The DUTCH Test provides a window into how your body is coping and where support is needed. Though often referred to as "adrenal fatigue," the issue lies more with the HPA axis—the communication loop between your brain and adrenal glands. Under prolonged stress, this system can become dysregulated, leading to hormonal imbalances and energy crashes. Rather than a sudden breakdown, adrenal dysfunction tends to develop in stages.
🌡️ The Four Stages of Adrenal Fatigue
🟢 Stage 1: Alarm Phase – “Running on Adrenaline”
The body responds to acute stress with high cortisol output to keep up with demands.
- Alert but anxious
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Reliant on coffee or sugar
- Wired but not necessarily tired
DUTCH Pattern: Elevated cortisol all day.
🟡 Stage 2: Resistance Phase – “Surviving, Not Thriving”
The stress continues. Cortisol output becomes erratic—still elevated at times, but not sustained.
- Morning energy but afternoon crashes
- Poor stress tolerance
- PMS or irregular cycles
- Brain fog and irritability
DUTCH Pattern: Spikes and drops in cortisol. Cortisol curve may fall too early or reverse.
🟠 Stage 3: Exhaustion Phase – “Tired All the Time”
Cortisol levels drop and remain low. The brain signals less stress hormone production to protect the body.
- Deep fatigue even after rest
- Low mood or flat affect
- Frequent colds or slow recovery
- Little to no energy for exercise
DUTCH Pattern: Low free cortisol across the board; may also show sluggish cortisol metabolism.
🔴 Stage 4: Burnout Phase – “System on Pause”
Severe HPA downregulation. Cortisol, DHEA, and sex hormones are often depleted. This stage requires deep recovery.
- Extreme fatigue or can't get out of bed
- Apathy or emotional numbness
- Lightheaded when standing
- Persistent low mood
DUTCH Pattern: Very low cortisol, DHEA, and possibly estrogen/testosterone. A flatlined rhythm.
🧪 How the DUTCH Test Helps
The DUTCH Test tracks:
✅ Free cortisol throughout the day
✅ Cortisone (inactive form)
✅ Cortisol metabolites
✅ DHEA and sex hormones
✅ A full picture of your diurnal rhythm
This allows you to see where you are on the adrenal stress spectrum—and how your body is processing and clearing cortisol.
📉 Healthy Cortisol Curve
A healthy cortisol rhythm rises sharply in the morning, slowly declines through the day, and drops to its lowest point at night.
🗓️ After Testing
Once your DUTCH results are in, you’ll meet for a follow-up consultation to review your cortisol rhythm, hormone balance, and any signs of dysregulation.
From there, a personalized plan is built to support recovery, which may include:
✅ Nutrient repletion
✅ Herbal adaptogens
✅ Nervous system regulation
✅ Sleep and circadian rhythm optimization
✅ Stress management techniques
Signs Hormones May Be Out of Balance
Step 1: At-Home Collection
Dried urine samples are collected over a 24-hour period in the comfort of your home.
Step 2: Sample Submission
Samples are mailed to a certified lab for detailed hormone metabolite analysis.
Step 3: Comprehensive Report
Receive a report covering cortisol rhythms, sex hormones, adrenal function, and hormone metabolism.
Step 4: Personalized Consultation
Your healthcare provider reviews results and develops a customized plan for balancing hormones and supporting well-being.
Get Started With a DUTCH Test
Current patients can request this test. New patients must schedule an initial consultation. Follow-up consultation is required to review results.
Book ConsultationEducational content only. The DUTCH Test is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for interpretation and guidance.