DUTCH Complete Test - Who Needs It & When It's Worth It
As a woman, you know that hormones play a huge role in how you feel day to day—from your energy levels to your mood, metabolism, and overall health. So when you’re struggling with fatigue, irregular cycles, PMS, painful cramps, heavy bleeding, or other unexplained symptoms, getting clear answers about why you’re experiencing those symptoms can be frustrating.
I like to use the DUTCH Complete test with my clients to get them the clarity and direction they’re looking for.
DUTCH (Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) is one of the most advanced hormone tests available and can provide deeper insights than standard blood work. But you may be wondering if it is the right next step for you…
In today’s post, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about who should (and shouldn’t) get a DUTCH test, what it measures, and when it’s truly worth the investment.
What is a DUTCH Complete Test?
The DUTCH complete test is a functional medicine hormone test that measures a variety of hormone levels and nutrition markers using dried urine samples that are collected over a 24-hour period.
Unlike standard blood tests, which provide a single snapshot in time, DUTCH testing gives you a more complete picture of how your hormones are being produced and metabolized throughout the day.
What does a DUTCH Complete test Measure?
✔️ Estrogen, Progesterone, & Testosterone – Understanding your reproductive hormone balance
✔️ Cortisol & Stress Response – How your body is handling stress and energy production
✔️ Estrogen Metabolism – How your body processes and eliminates estrogen (which can impact hormone-related symptoms)
✔️ DHEA & Androgens – Markers for PCOS, adrenal health, and energy levels
✔️ Melatonin Level – How well your body is producing this key sleep hormone
Who Should Get a DUTCH Complete test?
DUTCH testing is especially useful if you’re experiencing:
✅ Irregular or painful periods
✅ PMS, mood swings, or heavy bleeding
✅ Fatigue, low energy, or burnout
✅ PCOS, endometriosis, or unexplained infertility
✅ Difficulty losing weight despite doing “all the right things”
✅ Symptoms of estrogen dominance (bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, etc.)
✅ PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder)
If any of these sound familiar, DUTCH testing could help you pinpoint the root cause and create a targeted plan for balance.
Who Should NOT get a DUTCH Complete Test?
While DUTCH testing is an incredible tool, it’s not for everyone. Here are a few situations where it’s not the best choice:
🚫 If you’re currently pregnant
🚫 If you’re on hormonal birth control (since synthetic hormones will skew the results)
🚫 If you’re breastfeeding and haven’t yet had at least 3 natural cycles post-weaning
In these cases, other functional testing (like HTMA testing) or foundational nutrition and lifestyle changes may be a better starting point before jumping into hormone testing.
What should you do before Investing in a DUTCH Complete Test?
Before running a DUTCH test, I always recommend assessing a few foundational health areas first:
🔹 Nutrient Status – Are you getting enough protein, fiber, and minerals in your diet to support hormone health?
🔹 Blood Sugar Balance – Are your meals well-balanced to prevent energy crashes and mood swings?
🔹 Sleep & Stress – Are you getting enough rest and managing stress in a way that works for you?
🔹 Supplement Overload – Are you taking too many supplements or ones that aren’t actually serving you?
Addressing these basics can make a massive difference before diving into hormone testing.
Why I Recommend Pairing DUTCH & HTMA testing Together
One of the best ways to get a full picture of your health is to combine DUTCH testing with an HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) test.
Why? Because HTMA testing tells us the ‘why’ behind your hormone imbalances.
While DUTCH testing shows what’s happening with your hormones, HTMA reveals the deeper root causes—like mineral imbalances, adrenal health, and stress response—which all play a huge role in hormone balance.
By running these tests together, we get a complete picture of what’s going on in your body, allowing me to create a truly customized plan for your health & hormones.
How to get a DUTCH Test
If you’ve been feeling off, struggling with fatigue, or frustrated with irregular or painful cycles, DUTCH testing might be exactly what you need. Click here to apply to work with me.
You don’t have to guess when it comes to your hormones—let’s get the answers you need 💜