Your hormones are constantly changing, especially as you reach menopause. Certain conditions also cause hormonal imbalances, resulting in infertility and uncomfortable symptoms.
Getting an accurate interpretation of your hormones can help guide your treatment for the best outcomes. A dry urine test, or the DUTCH test, allows Dr. Inga Zilberstein to read your hormones and how they affect your body precisely.
Dr. Zilberstein is an experienced OB/GYN who provides personalized medicine to women on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City. Here’s what you should know about how useful a dry urine test can be.
The DUTCH test measures sex hormones, their metabolites, and specific biomarkers to comprehensively assess your health. These hormones regulate many functions, so when they're not working correctly, you may experience various symptoms and conditions.
The goal of the DUTCH test is to determine how hormones are working in your body and how they impact your overall health. It's helpful for many people struggling with infertility, perimenopause, and cycle irregularities. Dr. Zilberstein can also use the test to evaluate cortisol and stress.
The collection process is easy and happens over parts of two days. We provide you with the collection devices and give you instructions on what to do, and what not to do, to ensure the results are accurate.
After following the test's instructions, you collect the first urine sample in the evening, six to nine days before your menstrual cycle ends. If you're in menopause, you can take the samples anytime during the month. You collect additional samples overnight, when you wake up, and the last sample two hours after waking the next morning.
You may collect the urine sample using the sterile cup or urinate directly on the filter paper. If you use the cup, dip the filter paper into the urine sample. Let the samples dry for at least 24 hours.
It's crucial to avoid certain foods, supplements, and fluids before collecting the urine samples.
Failure to follow the provided instructions could result in false or inaccurate results.
The DUTCH test is a comprehensive reading of the hormones in your body and their metabolites, so it may take more than a week to get your results. When they’re available, you and Dr. Zilberstein can discuss them along with treatment options or lifestyle changes that can improve your overall health.
If you’re curious about the DUTCH test, contact Inga Zilberstein, MD, today by calling her office, texting her, or messaging her right here on our website.
