Hormones are crucial to anyone’s health. Many factors can affect hormone balance including nutrient deficiencies and the detoxification issues these cause. The health of the gut and the gut flora can also play a role in the clearance of certain hormones. A hormone profile is a helpful starting point when trying to establish where the imbalance lies.

We use the DUTCH testing to help resolve fatigue, weight problems, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, fertility issues, to establish where detoxification issues lie, and to improve long-term health outcomes.

The most advanced test for sex and adrenal hormones – DUTCH Testing.

DUTCH testing allows us to make the most informed clinical decisions about your treatment options. It shows not just the hormones themselves like saliva, blood or standard urine testing , but also how those hormones are being used and processed in the body.

  • More comprehensive than serum, saliva or 24-hour urine testing
  • Easy patient collection (5 dried urine samples collected simply on filter paper)
  • Unparalleled adrenal testing (diurnal free cortisol pattern with cortisol metabolites)
  • Accurate and comprehensive testing of sex hormones and metabolites (including 2,4,16-OH estrogens)
  • Effective monitoring of hormone replacement (improved clinical accuracy for many scenarios)
  • 8 separate lab methods (GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS) to ensure the most accurate methods for each test
  • 2 assessments available for cancer risk as part of the DUTCH Complete Profile.
  • 12 organic acids included with the Complete Profile at no extra charge, which provide insight into the brain chemistry, brain inflammation, and gut health.
  • One simple test to bring you unrivaled clinical information and confident clinical conclusions
Benefits of the DUTCH Test
Easy Sample Collection

  • No blood draw
  • No 24 hour urine collection
  • No spitting into tubes
  • 5 simple dried urine samples
  • Convenient Collection
 Easy to Understand Reports

  • Access Online Portal
  • Helpful interpretive comments
  • Comments for Doctors and Patients
  • Graphical interpretation of results
 Testing

  • Metabolism of Cortisol
  • Metabolism of Progesterone, Testosterone and Estrogen
  • Diurnal pattern of free Cortisol
  • Accurate and precise mass spec testing methods
D.U.T.C.H Tests that are available through The Self Heal Clinic in New Zealand :
  • D.U.T.C.H  – Complete – Comprehensive Hormone Profile – $780 including a comprehensive, fully analysed personal program and report rather than the usual lab-generated generic report.
Why Metabolites Are Important

Metabolites can help you understand what the underlying pathology is, and also what the risks are for certain cancer types . For example, one of the primary metabolites of testosterone is dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is believed to be one of the primary risk factors for prostate cancer. If you are male, you want high levels of natural testosterone, but you don’t want to have too much conversion to DHT, so you don’t have excessive amounts of that metabolite. A blood, urine, or saliva test can tell you if you’re making too much testosterone.

If you are female and you’re experiencing symptoms of high testosterone such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, it suggests that a significant amount of your testosterone is being metabolized into DHT, resulting in androgenic facial hair, thinning scalp hair, and acne. To evaluate where the testosterone is going, you need to check the metabolites. Moreover, if metabolites are not the problem, you won’t end up treating a problem you do not have. If it is part of the problem causing these symptoms, then there are natural ways to intercede.

Estradiol (E2) is the major estrogen and is recognised for producing the majority of the functions of estrogen in the body.  It is critical for the development of female reproductive organs, for producing female secondary sexual characteristics and during the menstrual cycle and, with progesterone, prepares the endometrium for implantation.  It helps vaginal lubrication, reduces urinary tract infections and increases sexual desire.  It is also important for brain, enhancing memory and mood. Estradiol (E2) is about 10 times as potent as E1 and about 80 times as potent as E3 in its estrogenic effect. Except during the early follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, its serum levels are somewhat higher than that of E1 during the reproductive years of females. Thus it is the predominant estrogen during reproductive years both in terms of serum levels and estrogenic activity. E2 to E1 conversion is generally favoured and the metabolites in the Dutch test tell you whether this occurring correctly. Incorrect conversion greatly increases the risk factors for certain reproductive cancers.

Estrone (E1) is produced from the aromatisation of androstenedione and the reduction of E2 to E1.  It has considerable estrogenic activity although it is less potent than E2. During menopause E1 is the predominant circulating estrogen.

Estriol (E3) is a metabolite of E1 and E2.  It is a weaker estrogen. It has been shown to be clinically effective for the treatment of menopause-related symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia and poor memory. In addition, postmenopausal conditions of vaginal atrophy with accompanying dryness, vaginal infections and dyspareunia; and urinary tract changes resulting in recurrent UTIs, urgency, incontinence and frequent urination are helped considerably with E3. During pregnancy E3 is the predominant circulating estrogen in terms of serum levels.

 Common Conditions Related to Estrogen Imbalance:
  • Hot flushes/night sweats
  • Irregular menstruation
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Bone loss
  • Dry skin
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Low libido
  • Heavy bleeding and clotting
  • Breakthrough bleeding
  • Menstrual pain
  • Headaches
  • Mood swings or changes
  • Bloating and weight gain
  • Endometriosis, fibroids
Male Health
 The aging male experiences a decrease in testosterone at a rate of 10% per decade from the age of 30. This reduction of testosterone and other androgens experienced as a consequence of the ageing process has been named andropause or androgen deficiency of the ageing male (ADAM).

Decreased androgen levels contribute to increased fat mass and reduced bone mineral density, muscle mass and muscle strength. Erectile dysfunction and lowered libido are also associated with ADAM. Another major sign of lowered androgen levels include psychological changes including reduced assertiveness, cognition, memory, mood, self-esteem, wellbeing and energy. Lowered testosterone and other androgens may also increase the risk of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Testosterone correction however may reverse these changes increasing lean body mass, muscle strength, bone mineral density, libido and mood, whilst reducing fat mass. Therefore diagnosing and treating androgen deficiency is vital for improving quality of life and reducing age-related health decline in the ageing male population.

Common Conditions Related to Male Hormone Imbalance:
  • Depression
  • Apathy
  • Dementia
  • Low libido
  • Loss of body hair
  • Weight gain and muscle loss
  • Fatigue
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Cardiovascular conditions

For more information, email us at dispensary@selfhealclinic.co.nz