At Lithe Health Clinic, we specialise in hormonal health, recognising that hormones are complex and deeply interconnected with other body systems, including the gut, brain, and immune system, which is why we take a whole-body, personalised approach to care.

Comprehensive Hormone Test

The DUTCH Plus™ (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) is an advanced test commonly used in functional and integrative medicine. It provides a detailed look at both sex hormones (oestrogen and progesterone), and stress (adrenal) hormones.

Unlike standard blood tests, which show hormone levels at just one point in time, this test looks at patterns throughout the day. It also measures hormone metabolites, helping us understand how your body is breaking down and using these hormones.

This gives us a clearer, more complete picture of what may be contributing to hormonal imbalances, so we can create a more targeted and effective health care protocol.

What is the DUTCH Plus™ test?

The DUTCH Plus™ test builds on the standard DUTCH Complete by offering a deeper look at how your body manages stress. It includes a special measurement called the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR), which tracks how your cortisol levels rise shortly after you wake up. This helps us understand how your body responds to stress, particularly in the early morning when your daily rhythm begins.

By combining this information with hormone testing throughout the day, DUTCH Plus™ gives a more complete view of adrenal health and stress patterns. It can be especially helpful if you’re experiencing symptoms related to ongoing stress or possible imbalances in the body’s stress-response system (HPA axis) and thyroid.

In addition, the test includes organic acid markers, which provide insight into areas such as nutrient status, oxidative stress, gut health, melatonin production (sleep hormone), and brain-related inflammation. This broader picture helps guide more personalised and effective support.

What the test looks at:
Progesterone, oestrogen, and androgen metabolites; cortisol (stress) markers and DHEA-S; creatinine; nutritional and organic acid markers; brain-related (neuro) markers; plus melatonin (sleep hormone) and oxidative stress (including 8-OHdG, a marker of cellular damage).

Why is understanding oestrogen metabolism important?

Understanding how your body processes and clears oestrogen is key to maintaining hormone balance. It can influence common symptoms such as PMS, mood changes, and cycle irregularities.

It also plays an important role in long-term health. The way oestrogen is broken down affects the balance of its by-products (metabolites), some of which are linked to conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, and certain hormone-related cancers, including breast and endometrial cancer and even persistent gastrointestinal symptoms.

By understanding your unique oestrogen metabolism, we can create a more targeted and effective healthcare plan tailored to your individual needs.

Why is understanding progesterone levels and metabolites important?

Progesterone is often described as a calming, protective hormone that helps balance the effects of estrogen. Progesterone supports normal cycle and tissue function. When levels are low, especially during perimenopause or stress, it can contribute to hormonal imbalance and symptoms like cycle changes or breast tenderness. Checking progesterone and its metabolites gives a clearer picture of overall hormone balance, not just a single snapshot.

Why is understanding your melatonin levels important?

Melatonin is an oxidative stress marker that can reflect the extent to which the body’s repair and recovery processes may be impaired or insufficient.

Who might benefit from the DUTCH Plus™ test?

The DUTCH Plus™ test may be helpful for individuals experiencing fatigue (especially on waking), sleep issues, chronic stress, weight issues, low resilience, or mood changes such as anxiety or low mood. It is also commonly used in clinical practice for those with hormone-related conditions like PCOS, PMS, PMDD, endometriosis, and fibroids, as well as for individuals undergoing hormone therapy or looking for a more personalised approach to their hormonal health.

*Taking a DUTCH Plus Test before starting personalised Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) helps give a clear picture of your hormones, so your treatment can be safer, more accurate, and tailored specifically to you.

We offer comprehensive hormone testing worldwide, using trusted clinical methods to evaluate your hormone levels and provide accurate, personalised insights.