The Dutch test also called the dried urine test for comprehensive hormones, is a very helpful and informative tool to assess hormone status.  It is a simple urine test that you can do in the comfort of your own home and send it away for analysis.

The Lab results come back in a 15-page report that provides a lot of information about the status of the hormones in your body but one of the KEY results is finding out just how your estrogen is metabolized (aka broken down). This happens in your liver. For instance, the 2-OH pathway is considered the safest pathway because it is associated with reduced cancer growth. 

The 4-OH pathway is the most harmful as its metabolites can lead to damaged DNA and be more cancer promoting.  The 16-OH pathway can create estrogenic metabolites leading to symptoms like breast cysts or uterine fibroids possibly.  This is why it’s so helpful to know how you personally metabolize estrogen as it can help to inform what dietary, lifestyle and nutraceutical (supplements) may be necessary for you to prevent cancer and DNA damage.  

Think of how useful this is, especially if you have a family history of breast and/or uterine cancer.

If you would like to learn more about this test, please contact Anna Rider, Integrative Health Nurse Practitioner.