D . U . T . C . H .

New collection kits are free, and only courier fees are applied if a new one is sent. Patients can contact The Good Health Room to get a new collection kit and try again.

Once the test begins, you can drink up to approximately 1 litre from the first afternoon sample collection (around 5:00 PM) until the next first morning void sample (waking sample). If limiting fluid intake to 1 litre is difficult, then fluid intake may be increased to no more than 1.5 litres. If more fluids are needed (due to heat, exercise, etc.) you may drink 250 mls of fluids AFTER collecting the
first morning void. After the second morning collection, fluids do not need to be restricted UNTIL two hours prior to the dinnertime  sample. Between the dinnertime and bedtime samples, fluids need to be limited to no more than 250 mls of fluids. It is important urine is yellow, but not dark yellow.

Melatonin is produced throughout the night and metabolised quickly into a metabolite that is excreted in urine. Melatonin production peaks somewhere between 3 AM and 4 AM depending on sleep and daylight exposure. The first-morning urine sample reflects overnight melatonin production. If you wake during the night, you should collect a urine sample. The next first-morning void, regardless of a middle-of-the-night collection, will accurately represent the overnight melatonin levels.

Alcohol can disrupt sleep, possibly raising cortisol levels. It can also affect estrogen metabolism. If alcohol is only consumed occasionally, it is best to avoid during DUTCH testing, so the results reflect typical cortisol and cortisol metabolism patterns. However, if you consume alcohol daily, DUTCH results would reflect daily alcohol consumption.

You should follow your normal daily routine. If caffeine is regularly consumed, then stopped for testing, there can be caffeine withdrawal that may spike cortisol that day. Avoid caffeine until AFTER the second morning urine collection.

As long as urine can be held in the bladder for two hours prior to each sample collection, results should be accurate. If you need to urinate during the night, then you need to collect this urine sample on the additional collection strip to ensure accurate cortisol and melatonin results. If you have multiple trips to the bathroom during the night to urinate, urine should be collected each time using a single clean container (and then kept in the refrigerator). In the morning, dip the overnight strip into the fridge container and then set it out to dry. *It is important to note that this method has not been validated.