DUTCH SEX HORMONE Panel For Women

Hormone levels change as we age. Test your Oestrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone hormone levels with the DUTCH Sex Hormone Test.

 

DUTCH SEX HORMONE Panel For Women

Hormone levels change as we age. Test your Oestrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone hormone levels with the DUTCH Sex Hormone Test.

 

What is the DUTCH test?

The DUTCH test is a Dried Urine test for Comprehensive Hormones.

It can help identify the root causes of hormone imbalances in women. The test includes markers providing information about reproductive hormones (oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone).

Balanced levels of sex hormones throughout life are crucial for optimal health. Sex hormones influence reproductive capability and sexual characteristics. They contribute to the determination of our body shape, sexual character, motivation, behaviour and fertility. They fluctuate throughout life and imbalances in these pathways can result in a variety of symptoms.

The sex hormones oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone belong to the steroid hormone group, which also includes DHEA, testosterone and cortisol. They work together to influence cellular physiology in many ways through connected pathways.

What does the DUTCH Sex Hormone Test cover?

The DUTCH sex Hormone panel is great for a baseline hormone measurement to identify the root cause of hormone imbalance. This test can be used to gather baseline measurements for the administration and monitoring of hormone replacement therapy. It looks at hormone measurements and their metabolites including; oestrogen, androgen (testosterone, DHEA, DHT) and progesterone. As well as the raw data this information is provided as a graphical representation so that any breakdown pathways can be easily understood.

 

Progesterone Metabolites

Progesterone mainly occurs in the ovaries and is typically raised after the release of an egg. Its main role is to prepare the uterus for implantation and also helps balance oestrogen levels. Testing progesterone metabolites means you can track whether ovulation occurred. This test covers:

  • 5a-pregnanediol – this can cross the blood brain barrier and can up-regulate GABA and hence the calming effect of progesterone.
  • 5b-pregnanediol

Low levels of progesterone in comparison to oestrogen, can lead to the following symptoms:

  • PMS
  • Menorrhagia – heavy periods
  • Mastaglia – breast pain
  • Moodiness
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia

Oestrogens and Metabolites

When assessing oestrogen there are three factors that need to be considered:

  1. Levels of oestrogen production
  2. Phase I Metabolism – Oestrogen can be metabolised down 3 pathways, 2-OH, 4-OH and 16-OH so in addition to oestrogen levels we need to see which of these pathways are high as this will drive treatment options but also help you understand exactly where the oestrogen imbalance lies.
  3. Methylation (part of phase II metabolism) – the methylation pathway can deactivate and eliminate oestrogen.

Androgens and Metabolites

This measures DHEA and its metabolites. DHEA is almost exclusively made in the adrenals. DHEA is considered a weaker androgen and is converted into androstenedione, which then further converts to testosterone and oestrogen.

Testosterone is made via the DHEA pathway in the adrenals or by the ovaries in females. Testosterone is often better understood by looking at the downstream metabolites, that are covered in this test. One of the metabolites, 5a-reductase converts testosterone into 5a-DHT (DHT), which is a more potent form of testosterone and can lead to symptoms such as:

  • Hair loss
  • Acne or oily skin
  • Hirsutism

Understanding how well these pathways and levels will help manage these symptoms and imbalances.

 

Hormones work synergistically so understanding the ratios and balance is key to addressing any imbalances. This report provides a graphical representation so that any breakdown pathways can be easily understood.

At Smart Nutrition we pride ourselves in offering the best cost possible for the DUTCH complete adrenal and sex hormone panel for women.

 

NOTE: This panel just covers the above. If you are looking for cortisol and cortisone metabolites, free cortisol and cortisone daily patterns with organic acids then please look up DUTCH Complete.

 

The DUTCH Sex Hormone Test for Women measures the key female hormones oestrogen and progesterone. It also measures testosterone plus the breakdown products of the above.

Oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone – the important sex hormones

This test is suitable for any women wanting to investigate possible hormonal imbalances or hormone related conditions such as:

  • Menopause
  • PCOS – polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Osteoporosis
  • Amenorrhea  – no periods
  • Weight gain
  • Fatigue
  • Low libido
  • Premenstrual syndrome
  • Mood swings
  • Mood disorders
  • Endometriosis
  • Fibroids
  • Anovulatory cycle – not ovulating
  • Oestrogen dominance
  • Monitoring hormone replacement therapy

  • 16-OH-E1
  • 2-Methoxy-E1
  • 2-OH-E1
  • 2-OH-E2
  • 4-OH-E1
  • 4-OH-E2
  • 5a-Androstaendiol
  • 5a-DHT
  • 5b-Androstanediol
  • a-Pregnanediol
  • Androsterone
  • b-Pregnanediol
  • DHEA-S
  • DHT
  • Epi-Testosterone
  • Estradiol (E2)
  • Estriol (E3)
  • Estrone (E1)
  • Etiocholanolone
  • Methylation activity (2-Me-E1 / 2-OH-E1)
  • Testosterone

DUTCH stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones – it’s a urine hormone test.

The DUTCH test is simple and easy to do. Urine samples are taken using filter paper, making the test suitable for use at home.

Before taking the DUTCH test female patients must have gone through puberty and have a menstrual cycle.

Please read the instructions that are included with the DUTCH test. The instructions explain the collection schedule for women with regular and irregular periods, no periods, and peri-menopausal and menopausal women.

48 hours prior to sample collection you will need to avoid the following foods: avocados, bananas and fava beans.

Some supplements may impact the result. If you take any of the following, please let your practitioner know: tyrosine, L-Dopa, D,L-Phenylalanine (DLPA), mucuna and quercetin.

 

15 years and above.

 

Please return using the pre paid label and shipping instructions included with your test kit.

 

14 working days.

Your test results will be emailed to you.

What if I miss a collection?
Simply collect the sample as instructed the following day. All samples do not need to be collected in one 24-hour period.

Do I have to take the samples in the order listed?
No, they can be collected in a different order. If you wish you may start with sample #3, followed by #4, #1 & #2. If you begin with #3, collect the extra sample if you wake and urinate in the night.

How long can I keep the dried samples before sending them in?
While hormone levels are very stable in dried samples, they should be sent back as soon as possible. If you have to wait to send them in, place in freezer (in plastic bag) after drying.

Do I need to stop taking my hormones for this test?
This test is built to test patients “on” their hormones. Our suggestion is to follow the Hormone Schedule (listed previously), and any specific instructions given by your provider.

What if my sleep schedule is abnormal (night workers, etc.)?
Collect the bedtime sample (#2) before your longest stretch of sleep, the waking sample (#3) after this sleeping period, and sample #4 two hours later. The dinnertime sample (#1) should be collected 4-7 hours before bed.

What if I am unable to urinate at the specific time?
Simply drink some fluids and go as soon as you are able.

When is best to test after coming off the pill?

It’s advisable to wait three cycles before testing after you’ve come off the pill.

DUTCH SEX HORMONE Panel For Women

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PUT YOURSELF to the TEST

Please do not return samples to the laboratories that may arrive after Wednesday 27th March and up to and including Monday 2nd April.

The laboratories are closed from the 28th March – 2nd April for the Easter Holiday.