The DUTCH Test: A Deeper Look into Your Hormones

by Dr. Beverly Huang ND

If menopause has left you wondering “What is going on with my hormones?!”—you’re not alone. Hot flashes, mood changes, weight shifts, and exhaustion can feel like an unsolvable puzzle. And when traditional blood tests fall short (especially during the hormonal rollercoaster of perimenopause), it’s time to bring in a more advanced tool: DUTCH testing.

Never heard of it? Or maybe you’ve seen the name but didn’t quite know what it does? Let’s dive in.

What Is DUTCH Testing?

DUTCH stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones. It's a simple at-home lab test that analyzes your hormone levels, how your body is using those hormones, and how your stress system is performing.

Unlike standard blood tests that give you a snapshot, DUTCH shows a full-day hormone picture—which is especially useful when your hormones are constantly shifting (hello, perimenopause!).

Why Is DUTCH Testing So Unique?

Because it’s not just about the numbers. It asks—and answers—questions like:

• Are your estrogen levels too high? Too low? Or just out of balance?

• Are you making enough progesterone to keep symptoms in check?

• How are you detoxifying hormones?

• Are your stress hormones (cortisol/cortisone) out of sync?

• Could your adrenals or neurotransmitters be playing a role?

And more importantly—it connects the dots to explain symptoms like:

• Worsening PMS or irregular cycles

• Mood swings, irritability, or anxiety

• Midsection weight gain or stubborn weight loss

• Fatigue that doesn’t budge

• Sleep issues and 3am wake-ups

• Night sweats and energy crashes

What’s the Test Like?

Surprisingly simple! You collect small urine samples on filter paper 4–5 times throughout one day, let them dry, and pop them in the mail. That’s it. No blood draws. No clinic visits. No stress.

The lab analyzes:

• Estrogen levels and how you’re breaking them down (metabolites)

• Progesterone and testosterone

• DHEA and melatonin

• Cortisol and cortisone (measured through the day to track your adrenal rhythm)

• B-vitamin markers, oxidative stress, and more (depending on your panel)

Who Should Consider DUTCH Testing?

It’s ideal for women who:

• Are navigating perimenopause or post-menopause

• Feel like their symptoms don’t match their labs

• Want a personalized hormone therapy plan

• Are exploring a naturopathic or functional medicine approach

• Want to better understand the stress-hormone connection

In short: If your hormone symptoms have felt like a mystery that no one has solved—DUTCH testing may help you crack the code.

What You Can Learn

Here’s where DUTCH shines—it doesn’t just say what is happening, but why.

You might discover that:

• Your body is detoxing estrogen down a more inflammatory pathway—raising risk of estrogen-dominant symptoms like fibroids, breast tenderness, or heavy periods

• You’re low in progesterone, which may explain your anxiety or sleep struggles

• Your cortisol rhythm is flatlined or spiking at night—hello, 3am wake-up calls!

Once you understand the “why,” you can start making real progress.

Is It Worth the Cost?

A DUTCH test is a functional test specifically offered by naturopathic doctors and other functional medicine practitioners.  DUTCH is sometimes covered by health spending accounts through your insurance.

But here’s the thing: if you’ve spent months (or years!) being dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told “everything looks normal” when you clearly don’t feel normal—then this deeper dive may be exactly what you need.

At menoPowered, we often offer DUTCH testing as an option when more clarity is needed. It helps us create truly personalized plans using hormone therapy, herbal and nutritional support, detox strategies, and lifestyle guidance—tailored specifically to you.

Bottom Line: It’s Time for Clarity

Your hormones are complex—and so are you. DUTCH testing gives a more complete picture than standard hormone tests, helping uncover the root causes behind your symptoms and offering a path to healing that feels aligned with your body.

Because in menopause, you don’t just deserve to “get by.”

You deserve to thrive.