The dutch hormone test (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) requires you to collect urine samples on card stock/paper, dry the paper out, and send it to the Precision Analytical lab for testing.
The great news is that it’s better than a blood test, and it will soon make things to do with your hormones much clearer. Knowing (if you are in menopause, have high cortisol or adrenal fatigue) is waaay better than not knowing, IMO!
Here’s some things I have learned.
In an ideal scenario, you’ll have lots of good instruction on the dutch from your health care practitioner – the one who ordered the testing, such as a functional MD, holistic nutritionist (update – this is now out of scope of practice) or naturopathic doctor – ahead of time, and know WHY you’re doing it.
If you take 5-HTP, Tryptophan or L-tryptophan, SAMe, tyrosine, L-Dopa, DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA), macuna, quercetin / EMIQ or St. John’s Wort, consult them before testing.
Open this package at home, take a look through the package, and check your calendar. Check to see when there are a couple of days when you can collect the urine specimens in the convenience of your own home, preferably.
[I say preferably, because you CAN take the samples on different, non-sequential days, and you CAN do it out of the house, but you must let the urine-soaked papers fully dry before folding them up, and I’m not sure you want to do that anywhere outside your own home, especially since it is important to not be overly hydrated, to ensure the urine is concentrated…AKA, smelly. Ew.]
When picking a day to start, you’ll count back at least 72 hours (3 days) ahead from a good day to be home drying pee papers, and then you’ll be sure to stop taking any supplements that might affect your results, (like 5-HTP or quercetin, and others, and if your practitioner agrees), 72 hours prior to your test.
(Note: You can keep taking birth control, necessary mood regulators, some hormones, and creams or patches, so check the guidelines carefully, and get assistance.)
This step is important, especially because you may need to plan your meals.
You’ll want to avoid Avocado, Bananas, Eggplant, Kiwi, Butternuts, Pecans, Walnuts (and associated nut butters), Pineapple (and pineapple juice), Plantains, and Plums for 72 hours prior to your test, if possible, and Caffeine during the testing.
For the Complete, there are 4 urine samples to take and 5 papers to do it with.
You either get an extra, bonus urine sample, to take at night if you wake up, or a do-over urine paper, in case of a mistake.
Think of a place to dry the pee papers, where they won’t get licked by the dog, or noticed by company.
For those with brain fog, knowing what to do in advance, and reading the instructions a few times might be good. Set your alarms, do what you got to do.
If in doubt, ask your health care practitioner for help.
Fill out the form – it has 2 sides – so the lab will know about you.
After you’ve collected and accomplished all the necessary steps, put the now-dry urine sample papers into the little bag, and then put them in the human specimen bag, and then put it and the requisition form, all in the floppy plastic envelope.
Complete and then slip the mailing instructions for customs into the clear pouch on the outside of the plastic envelope. For some people (I see you, receptionists!) this step will be elementary, but some people have never done this kind of thing (like, never used snail mail!).
It’s quite simple, but if you want more guidance about timing and meds, the company has handouts online and makes great videos.
If you normally take 5-HTP, Tryptophan, SAMe, Tyrosine, L-Dopa, DL-Phenylalanine (DLPA), Macuna, Quercetin or St. John’s Wort, do not stop them unless you consult with your health practitioner and they counsel you to do so.
I hope that was helpful!!
And I hope whatever ails you gets better soon!
xox
Dana
