DUTCH Hormone Test Guide | Somewhere Health

Who it's for

Who is this test for?

Complex or persistent hormone symptoms that bloodwork has not explained
Perimenopause with confusing or shifting symptoms
Suspected cortisol or burnout patterns
Considering or already using hormone support and wanting a fuller picture
Normal blood results but ongoing symptoms
Wanting to understand how your body processes estrogen

What is the DUTCH test?

DUTCH stands for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones, and it measures hormones and their breakdown products from urine samples you dry on filter paper at home. Rather than a single snapshot, it collects several samples across one day, which lets it show both your hormone levels and the pathways your body uses to process them. We use it often when we are looking for the root cause of hormonal concerns, because it reveals key pieces of the puzzle a standard blood test misses.

What we can measure

The DUTCH test gives us an unusually complete view of your hormones from one at-home kit:

Estrogen and its metabolites, including estrone, estradiol, and estriol, plus the pathways your body uses to break estrogen down. This tells us not only how much estrogen you have, but whether your body is favouring the protective pathways rather than the higher-risk ones.
Androgens, including testosterone, DHT, and DHEA-S, which matter for libido, energy, mood, muscle, acne, and unwanted hair growth.
Progesterone, essential for cycle regularity, mood, and sleep, and one of the first hormones to decline with stress and in perimenopause.
Cortisol, your main stress hormone, measured as a pattern across the day including the Cortisol Awakening Response, which helps make sense of fatigue, anxiety, burnout, and disrupted sleep.
Melatonin, your sleep hormone, which naturally declines with age and can be suppressed when cortisol runs high.
Organic acids, markers linked to the neurotransmitters that influence mood, along with markers of vitamin B6 and B12 status.

Is the DUTCH test accurate?

The DUTCH test is a validated laboratory urine test that measures hormone metabolites and cortisol patterns, offering a deeper look at how your body is processing hormones compared with a single blood sample. It can provide helpful insight into hormone patterns, especially when symptoms are complex or when timing matters.

However, no hormone test tells the entire story on its own. Results are interpreted alongside your symptoms, menstrual cycle, health history, and other appropriate testing to create a more complete picture. The goal is not to chase numbers it’s to understand your biology and use that information to guide thoughtful care.

The interpretation is the product

A report full of numbers is not an answer. Its value comes from connecting the patterns to your symptoms and turning them into a plan, which is exactly how we use the DUTCH test here.

How it works

Book online

3D calendar with two highlighted dates: book your test online

A virtual visit first — we confirm this is the right test before anything is ordered.

Collect your sample

Retro computer illustration: collect at home or at a local lab

At home with your kit, or at any clinic such as LifeLabs near you.

Understand your results

Illustrated hand holding a pencil: review results with your ND

Your ND reviews them with you against functional ranges — you leave with a written plan.

statistics

The bigger picture

90%

Of women experience symptoms related to hormonal changes during perimenopause, though experiences vary widely

40%+

Of women report that menopause symptoms negatively affect quality of life, work, or daily activities

24

hours Urine hormone testing can measure daily cortisol patterns, including the rise and fall of cortisol across the day.

Sources: Menopause Foundation of Canada (2022); Statistics Canada (2022); Mental Health Research Canada (2024). The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN); North American Menopause Society (NAMS). DUTCH Test methodology publications. Global Women’s Health Concern / menopause surveys; NAM. McEwen & Karatsoreos, Physiology & Behavior, 2015

“A test result without clinical context is hard to act on. We choose the right test, interpret it against functional ranges, and turn it into a plan. That's the difference between ordering a kit and getting answers.”

Somewhere Health naturopathic doctor reviewing results at a laptop

Dr. Courtney Ranieri, ND

Naturopathic Doctor · Registered with CONO

What happens after the results?

The goal isn’t just to hand you a report, it’s to understand what your results mean for your health. We review your hormone patterns, cortisol rhythm, symptoms, and goals to create a practical plan tailored to you.

Depending on what we find, recommendations may include nutrition, lifestyle changes, targeted supplementation, or discussion of prescription therapies such as hormone therapy when appropriate. Follow-up testing may be used to monitor changes, and your care plan is adjusted based on how your body responds.

Book to get started

Often ordered for

Perimenopause + Menopause

Hormone Imbalances

Cortisol + Adrenal Support

PCOS / PMOS

Frequently asked questions

What does the DUTCH test measure?

It measures sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone along with their metabolites, your daily cortisol and cortisone rhythm, melatonin, and additional organic acid markers, all from dried-urine samples. The metabolites and the cortisol pattern are what set it apart from a standard blood test.

Is the DUTCH test better than a blood test?

Neither is simply better; they answer different questions. Blood testing gives an accurate level at one moment, while the DUTCH test shows how your body processes hormones and how your cortisol shifts across the day. We help you decide which one, or which combination, suits your situation.

How do I collect the DUTCH test samples?

You collect several urine samples at set times over one day at home by saturating filter paper and letting it dry, then mail the samples back. For cycling women, collection is timed to a specific point in the cycle. We give you clear instructions so the timing is correct.

How much does the DUTCH test cost, and is it covered?

It is a private test paid directly rather than billed to provincial coverage, and the exact price depends on the panel. Many extended health plans reimburse naturopathic testing, though coverage varies by provider and plan, so we recommend reviewing your benefits to confirm reimbursement eligibility.

Ready for answers? Book to get tested.

Book an appointment