DUTCH Sex Hormone Metabolites

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Preparation & Timing

• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, or large fluid intake for several hours before and during the collection period.
  • Do not drink any fluids for 2 hours before collecting each sample.
  • Keep fluids to no more than 32 oz total on day 1 (spread evenly throughout the day).
  • Keep fluids less than 8 oz between samples 3 and 4.
• Taking hormones?
  • Do NOT take oral DHEA 48 hours before or oral estrogen or pregnenolone 72 hours before your first collection. 
  • Do not skip doses of birth control unless instructed by your healthcare provider.
  • Hormones taken at night should be taken after the bedtime sample. 
  • Hormones taken in the morning should be taken after sample 4. 
  • If you are using patches, pellets, or injections, collect samples midway between doses.
  • If you take glucocorticoids, check with your healthcare provider.
  • If you take oral hydrocortisone, see video instructions here.
  • If you take sublingual hormones, see video instructions here. 
• Consult your healthcare provider if you take any of these supplements: Tyrosine, L-Dopa, D,L-Phenylalanine (DLPA), Mucuna, and Quercetin.
• Cycling women should take the test according to the following schedule:
  • Irregular cycles: Watch this video to determine when to collect.
  • Regular cycles: Use the table below to determine when to collect your sample. Begin collecting your sample 6-9 days before your cycle ends. 

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Collection Instructions

1. Collect according to the following schedule. See fluid restrictions above.
   1. Sample 1: Dinnertime (~5pm)
   2. Sample 2: Bedtime (~10pm - 12am)
   3. Extra Overnight Sample: Collect at your first waking sleep disturbance with urination.
      1. If you wake to urinate a second time during the night, do not collect.
   4. Sample 3: Upon waking - do NOT lay awake in bed before collecting sample 3.
   5. Sample 4: 2 hours after waking
      1. Tip: set a timer to remind yourself
2. Write your name, the date and time of collection, the day of your cycle (if applicable), and the sample number (following to the schedule above) on the collection device. 
3. Saturate the filter paper completely by urinating directly on it OR by using a clean cup and dipping the filter paper. 
4. Leave the collection device open to dry for at least 24 hours.
5. Once dry, close and fold each collection device.
6. Place all devices in the resealable plastic bag. 
7. Place the completed requisition form and the plastic bag in the provided envelope to mail.

Special Collection Notes:

1. If you miss a collection, collect at the appropriate time the following day.
2. You can start collection with Sample 3 instead of Sample 1.
   1. You must collect the extra sample if you do this.
3. If you have an abnormal sleep schedule, collect Sample 1 4-7 hours before bed, Sample 2 before your longest stretch of sleep, Sample 3 upon waking from this sleeping period, and Sample 4 2 hours later.
4. See more collection information below.

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Requisition & Payment

• Your kit has been prepaid. You DO NOT need to pay anything extra.
• Instructions on how to fill out your requisition can be found here.
  • Since you pre-paid for your tests, you do not need to fill in the payment information on any of these forms.

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Shipping

• Use return envelope provided to ship your samples via USPS. 
  • Once the collection devices are dry, close and fold each device.
  • Place all devices in the resealable plastic bag. 
  • Place the completed requisition form and the plastic bag in the provided envelope to mail.
• You may be required to provide postage.
• Please ship ALL tests as soon as possible after completion. 
  • If you have to wait to ship your samples, please place the plastic bag containing the samples in the freezer after they have dried.
• Make a note of the tracking number so that you can track your sample back to the lab.

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Results

• Results should be released to your provider 7-10 business days after samples are received at the lab. We cannot guarantee processing time. 
• Your provider will notify you when your results are in and schedule a follow-up appointment for you to review them together. 
• Your provider may choose to release your results to you. Rupa cannot release your results without provider authorization.

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More Resources from Precision Analytical

• DUTCH Sex Hormone Metabolites Info Page
• [PDF] How to Collect Your Sample (same instructions as the DUTCH Complete)
• [VIDEO] How to Collect Your Sample

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Questions?

For general questions, email Rupa Health at support@rupahealth.com. For test-specific questions, contact Precision Analytical by calling 1-503-687-2050 or chatting with support.