What’s the DUTCH Test – Should I Be Tested?

Understanding your hormone health (and why it’s essential!)

The DUTCH test (short for Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones) is a powerful tool

for assessing hormone balance. It’s easy to use—you simply collect urine samples at home and send them to the lab for analysis.

When your results come back, you receive a detailed 15-page report. While the report contains a lot of valuable information, one of the most important findings is how your body breaks down estrogen—a process called estrogen metabolism, which happens in the liver.

Here’s why this matters: estrogen doesn’t stay in its active form forever. Your body needs to

process (or metabolize) it into different byproducts, known as metabolites. These metabolites can take different “pathways”—some safer, some riskier:

• 2-OH Pathway – Often called the “protective” or “safe” pathway. It’s linked with

  reduced cancer growth and healthier estrogen processing.

• 4-OH Pathway – The most concerning pathway. Metabolites here can damage DNA and

  are associated with increased cancer risk.

• 16-OH Pathway – Produces more estrogen-like metabolites. In some cases, this may

  contribute to symptoms such as breast cysts, heavy periods, or uterine fibroids.
  

Knowing which pathway your body tends to favor is extremely valuable. With this insight, you

and your healthcare provider can make targeted choices about diet, lifestyle, and supplements to support safer estrogen metabolism and reduce risks such as DNA damage or hormone-related cancers. This information can be especially meaningful if you have a family history of breast or uterine cancer, or if you struggle with estrogen-related symptoms.

If you would like to learn more about the DUTCH test and whether it’s right for you, get in

touch.